Chapter 29 An Accusation
It had been two days since the scandal.
"It's not a joke. It's impossible for someone like her to get a bag that costs twice as much as a Jucy Life bag. It will cost her a fortune. She must have lied, that old hag." Emma scoffed while sipping her coffee in Margaret's office at the Blake Corporation Building.
"I know. That's why I told her to deliver it to my office. I would love to see how her face falls in front of the entire staff when she fails to bring me such an expensive bag." Margaret smirked.
"She tried to ruin my reputation... The audacity of that bitch. Oh, now she has the support of two more bitches. I will teach them a lesson." she added.
"But Xander handled the situation very well." Emma praised.
All of the news and posts about Margaret was removed by Xander's team. As she had apologized, Ariadne made no objections. However, Margaret was not happy.
"He could have handled it better." she was furious that Xander made her apologize for her actions. "We are the Blakes. Such scandals would never affect us."
"Crystal talked with Xander. He did it to spare us from unwanted attention. There are a few upcoming events, as well as their engagement. We already have a lot on our plates right now." Emma consoled her.
Margaret's phone rang and she answered it. "Send her to my office." she said before hanging up. "The bitch has arrived."
Both women smirked before standing up and walking towards the door. They entered the open area where employees worked at their desks. They intended to humiliate Ariadne in front of the entire staff.
Ariadne arrived on the 8th floor, where Margaret was waiting for her. Emma and Margaret sat on a couch near the glass wall. When Ariadne spotted the two elderly women, she approached them. Some employees gave her a curious glance.
"Here's the bag." Ariadne placed a paper bag on the table in front of the couch.
Margaret glanced at it lazily but didn't move to take the bag. Ariadne stood silently.
"Can you open it for me?" Margaret smiled at her, mischievously.
Ariadne nodded before picking up the paper bag and taking out a handbag. Margaret and Emma's eyes widened, surprised.
"An Autumn Collection bag!?" Emma exclaimed, stunned.
Margaret snatched the bag from Ariadne's hands and examined it. It was a gorgeous bag, far more beautiful than her damaged one.
"How do I know it's not fake?" Margaret stated, admiring the beauty of the bag.
Ariadne rolled her eyes.
"You can check it."
Margaret nodded and looked at Emma, who appeared equally fascinated by the bag.
"Amanda." Margaret called out the name, and a woman in her late twenties approached her.
"Yes, Madam."
"Check the bag to see if it's fake." she passed the bag to the woman.
"Okay, Madam." Amanda took the bag and went to inspect it.
Emma and Margaret continued to drink and chat, completely ignoring Ariadne's presence. Ariadne stood silently. After a while, Amanda returned with the bag.
"It's not fake, Madam. It's the latest limited-edition bag from the Autumn Collection." the girl informed.
"Okay." Margaret took the bag from Amanda and dismissed her.
"Where did you get this bag from?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at Ariadne.
"It's none of your business." Ariadne said flatly, checking the time on her wrist watch.
She would leave for the airport once she finished her work here.
"How rude. Don't forget that we are your elders, Aria." Emma warned.
"Am I talking to you?"
Emma's face turned red with rage. Margaret raised her hand.
"Well, it's entirely my business. What if you stole it from someone? I will be held accountable." Margaret said sharply.
"Did I ask if you had stolen your bag?"
"How dare you? I can afford to buy hundreds of such bags. Don't you know who I am?" Margaret yelled with rage.
The employees turned towards them, hearing the commotion.
"Of course, I know exactly who you are." Ariadne said mockingly.
Employees watched the scene with interest. No one dared to speak with Margaret in this manner.
"But what makes you think that I can't afford this bag?"
Margaret was speechless in response to her question. Ariadne was the CEO of a large company, so she could easily afford a limited edition bag. They couldn't deny it. However, due to their hatred for Ariadne, they refused to accept that she could live a lavish lifestyle.
"You don't have to believe me, if you don't want to. This exchange is witnessed by everyone present. So you can rest assured that you will not be held responsible for anything involving the bag." Ariadne didn't want to dwell on the subject, so she ended the argument.
She needed to arrive at the airport in time.
"What's happening here?"
A deep voice came from behind.
When the employees saw the owner of that voice, they resumed their work. Ariadne didn't have to turn to see who it was.
"Xander! Why are you here?" Margaret's shocked voice caused Ariadne to frown in confusion.
"I came to see what's going on here?" Xander approached them, his eyes fixed on Ariadne.
"Oh... it's not something worth your time, Son."
"That's up to me to decide. Now can you please answer my question?"
Irritation reflected in his voice as he grew impatient.
Margaret glared at Ariadne. "She came here to give me the bag Mary had promised."
Margaret held up the bag for Xander to see.
"Bag?" Xander became confused.
But then a deep frown appeared on his face when he realized it.
"Mom, return the bag. You don't need it." he said with a serious expression.
"Why should I return it? Her daughter ruined my favorite bag, and they eagerly offered it as compensation."
"Mom..."
"You don't need to return it. I won't take it back." Ariadne interrupted him. "We promised Mrs. Blake and kept it. The matter is resolved here. I should leave now." she turned and headed towards the elevator, without waiting for anyone's response.
Everyone stared at her retreating figure until she was out of sight.
"Are you satisfied after humiliating yourself again?" Xander said to his mother before turning and heading in the same direction as Ariadne.
.
As Ariadne reached the elevators, she stood there waiting for it to arrive. The other one was empty, but it served as a VIP elevator for the president. A figure emerged from behind her and entered the VIP elevator. Their gazes met briefly before Ariadne turned away.
"Get into this one." he said.
"No, thanks." Ariadne ignored him and remained standing.
Since the day of her children's school function, Ariadne had avoided him like a plague.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her elbow and dragged her into the VIP elevator.
"Hey, what the hell...?"
Before Ariadne could react, the door closed, and Xander pressed a button. Ariadne was absolutely stunned.
"What's the meaning of this?" her face turned red with rage, and she moved to the corner of the elevator, leaning against the wall to keep her distance from the man.
She flinched as Xander got closer and caged her by placing his hands on both sides of her head. The space inside the elevator felt very small due to his intimidating large figure.
"S..Stay away from me." Ariadne tried to remain calm, but his towering presence over her did not help.
"I have a question. And you will answer me truthfully." Xander said in a heavy voice, his expression serious.
Ariadne frowned. "Is this the way to ask a question?"
However, Xander ignored her comment.
"Were you pregnant before our divorce?" He went right to the point.
"What?"
Ariadne's face turned pale at the question, as different scenarios crossed her mind. She became terrified of the possibility that Xander had discovered something about the children's paternity.
"Did you cheat me?"
Xander's next question brought her back from her thoughts.
"What..?"
"Did you sleep with other men while pretending to be a devoted wife to me?" he asked, clenching his jaw.
"What nonsense are you saying?" she gritted her teeth.
"It's not the answer, Ariadne."
Crystal's words from the dinner suddenly came to Ariadne's mind, and she realized everything.
"Oh, I see. Crystal's words worked... Again...huh? You are unbelievable." she chuckled sarcastically.
"Again, it's not the answer." Xander narrowed his eyes at her.
Ariadne's expression turned serious, and she pushed him hard on the chest, taking him off guard. He stumbled backward.
"Why should I answer you? That's none of your business." she said, pointing her finger at him.
"It is. How dare you act like a victim while lecturing others for cheating when you are also a cheater?" Xander still remembered the slap he received from Ariadne when he told her about Crystal's pregnancy.
Ariadne couldn't believe he had actually believed Crystal's words. But, again, he always believed her. She came to the realization that Crystal still considered her as a threat, which explained why she was constantly trying to harm Ariadne and her family. She became terrified at the thought of Crystal discovering the children's paternity. Given her vile nature, Crystal could harm even the kids.
"Who was he... the father of your kids?" Xander moved closer again, furious.
He mistook Ariadne's silence as her acceptance of the accusation. Ariadne looked at him silently. She couldn't tell him the truth. But if she lied about cheating, he would not rest until he found the man, who didn't even exist. He was the most powerful man in the country. Whether he loved his wife or not, he would definitely seek to destroy any man who dared to have an affair with her. That would be more troublesome. Ariadne gritted her teeth, frustrated that even after five years, these people wouldn't leave her alone.
"I didn't make you a cheater. You have earned that title by your own actions. But I am not like you. I am not a cheater like you." she poked his chest with her finger, venting her anger on him.
"Dont lie to me." Xander looked into her eyes, as if searching for the truth.
"I don't need to lie to you, asshole. Unlike you, I know how to respect a marriage. Now, leave me alone."
She found it impossible to stand this man anymore. She noticed that the elevator had stopped and they had arrived on the ground floor. However, the door remained closed.
"Open the door." she said, returning her gaze to him.
When he didn't respond, she walked past him and banged on the door.
"Open the door." she shouted, hoping that someone would come to help, but to no avail. The entire time, Xander looked at her in a daze, his mind was a mess. He was debating whether to believe her or not. But, again, she had no reason to lie to him, as she said.
Ariadne turned and glared at him. "Xander! I swear..."
"Relax." Xander cut her off as he sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair.
He then moved forward and pressed a button. The door opened, and Ariadne left immediately without looking back for once.
Xander's jaw tightened as he stared at her retreating figure.