Chapter 71: Love, Sin, and Lies

“If Ariana saw the two of us sitting together, which husband do you think she would choose?”

David let out a mocking chuckle, leaning back against the leather seat of Christian’s luxury car. His eyes gleamed with provocation.

“Stop talking nonsense before I throw you out,” Christian shot back, his voice cold and cutting.

Even though fear crept in, David kept pushing him to achieve his goal.

He rubbed his chin and hissed, “But I’m really curious, Mr. Matheus. Would she choose the husband who holds her every night inside that little stone house,” his voice trailed off as his cunning gaze deliberately flicked toward Christian, who still showed no emotion on his sharp, sculpted face, “or her legal husband, the one she only met again after five years?” the mockery in his tone was unmistakable. The driver and Lorne, seated in the front, both growled under their breath.

“You want to know the answer?” Christian’s deep voice suddenly broke in.

“Of course. I’m sure you’re curious too.” David snickered, then reached for his phone.

Before he finished speaking, he added, “Should I call Ariana?” his eager tone quickly turned flat. “What a shame, I forgot. Ariana’s phone is broken. Someone ruined it.” He ended with a low growl. “Tch, what the hell is this?”

Without warning, Christian’s large hand moved. His solid fingers clamped around David’s throat, forcing him back against the corner of the seat.

“Stop, you’ll kill me,” David struggled, trying to pry Christian’s grip loose. “Ugh! You damn bastard!” he cursed as his face began to pale.

“I’ll make sure you keep that nonsense locked inside your throat before it’s crushed,” Christian hissed, his low voice lethal.

David’s chest burned as if it were about to explode. His body trembled from the pain, yet his reddened gaze did not falter.

“I understand,” David rasped, his voice broken as he let out a bitter laugh. “Let’s begin. I won’t waste time anymore.” Even as he tried to negotiate, Christian, known as the devil billionaire, did not release him. His shaking eyes darted toward Lorne. “Hey, damn it! Don’t just sit there, I’m about to die.”

“Sir, don’t kill him yet. We still need him,” Lorne said flatly.

Christian jerked his hand away, throwing David’s body so hard that his head slammed against the car window.

David gasped for air, clutching his bruised throat. Saliva dripped messily from his chin.

“Tell me what made you bold enough to come to me,” Christian demanded coldly as he wiped his hands.

David steadied his ragged breathing. Once his body calmed slightly, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an official document.

“Wait. Let’s make a deal first,” David said, handing it over with a grin. “I want to marry Ariana. That’s why I need your signature, Mr. Matheus.”

“You worthless bastard, what did you just say?” Christian’s anger exploded again at the sight of the divorce papers. He lunged forward, grabbing David’s collar and David immediately shouted,

“Mr. Marley is the one who killed Ariana’s grandfather!”

Christian’s grip loosened. His fingers stiffened. His eyes widened. “What did you say?”

“Yes, your family are murderers!” David shouted. “Did you really think Crownbridge Group was built purely by Mr. Marley’s own efforts?” he sneered at the restrained fury on Christian’s face.

His teeth clenched. “You really don’t know anything, do you? That company was built by two men. Your grandfather and Ariana’s grandfather. They were close friends.”

Christian fell silent, his body rigid like stone. But he listened intently.

“Too bad Mr. Marley betrayed Ariana’s grandfather after Crownbridge Group became powerful,” David continued. “He grew greedy and even took the entire Austen family fortune after killing him right in front of his own granddaughter.”

He burst into loud laughter, clutching his stomach. “After all this, do you really think Ariana would ever come back to you?”

“That’s nonsense. That’s impossible!” Christian snapped, his powerful voice trembling uncontrollably.

“Mr. Matheus, Ariana has been searching for her grandfather’s killer for a long time,” David said with a cold grin. “It’s only because her childhood memories haven’t fully returned that she can’t recall the incident in detail. She just needs a trigger. Then everything will come back perfectly.”

“You’re lying. How could my grandfather betray his own friend?” Christian denied, his face pale.

“You can ask Mr. Marley yourself,” David said, placing the divorce papers on Christian’s lap. He grabbed Christian’s hand and forced it toward the document.

“With a divorce, you won’t have to feel guilty. Come on, Mr. Matheus. Sign it now.”

The snow fell later than the government had predicted. Heavy snowfall blanketed the land of Scotland.

“You can’t keep avoiding Mr. Matheus, Ariana,” Mrs. Robert said as she approached. “Just meet him once.”

Inside Mrs. Robert’s warm house, Ariana sat on the heated floor. She said nothing, staring at the snowflakes as they blurred against the window.

“You have to resolve this. Don’t you feel sorry for Lucas?” Mrs. Robert asked again, her tone filled with concern.

“I can’t tell him yet. Maybe I never will,” Ariana replied firmly. “I’m going to the airport tonight. Christian’s men will loosen their guard because of this storm. I’ll go to the stone house and get our suitcases.”

“I’m coming with you,” Mrs. Robert said decisively.

The journey to the stone house felt painfully slow. As the car slowly entered the yard, Ariana jolted when she saw a figure standing motionless in front of the door.

Christian was there alone, his black coat already covered in a thick layer of snow.

“There’s the Big Master, Mom!” Lucas exclaimed excitedly, pointing at Christian. “He’s the one who saved me, Toby! He’s amazing!”

“That’s the hero you told me about?” Toby shouted, equally excited.

“Yes, come on, I’ll introduce you!” Lucas had already pulled the door handle.

“Bonnie, turn the car around! We have to leave now!” Ariana said in panic.

Bonnie looked nervous. Her hands trembled as she tried to shift the gear. “Yes, I’ll do it.”

Before the car could move, the back door swung open. Lucas and Toby jumped out swiftly. They ran across the snow, laughing as they headed toward Christian, who had begun to turn his body stiffly.

“Lucas, don’t go there! Come back here!” Ariana shouted desperately.