CHAPTER 85
CHAPTER 85
ARIANA’S POV
I was enjoying the feeling of taking the fight right to where Lisa was. The stunned look on her face was priceless, and for a moment, it almost made the weeks of humiliation worth it. She hadn’t expected me to show up here. That alone gave me a sliver of power.
“Wow…” Lisa finally muttered, and I was starting to wonder if she’d sit in silence all day. Her office was too perfect, too polished, like everything about her public image. It made my skin crawl.
Then, without warning, she let out a small laugh. It turned into a chuckle, then into full-blown laughter that echoed around the glass walls. She laughed so hard that I started questioning if she’d lost her mind.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, confused, trying not to show how irritated I was. But she laughed harder, clutching her stomach like I’d told the best joke of her life.
“You…” she said between laughs, pointing at me. “You’re unbelievable.”
At that point, it was ridiculous enough that I laughed a little too, even though it was more out of disbelief than amusement. I’d come here for a fight, not a comedy show.
When she finally stopped, she straightened in her chair, eyes sharp again. “Do you care to explain what that was all about?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“The fact that you think I, Lisa Sterling, need you, Ariana Cruz, is the funniest thing I’ve heard all year.” Her smirk was venomous.
“You don’t see how much you stand to gain from this, and that’s pathetic,” I said, cutting off her smugness before it built momentum.
She arched a brow. “If anyone here doesn’t see the truth, it’s you, Cruz. You broke into my schedule, forced your way into my office, and now you’re pitching nonsense to me? You’re lucky I haven’t called security.”
Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit. Lisa had a way of slicing through people with that icy confidence of hers. “Your career is on life support, and your reputation’s rotting online,” she continued, relentless. “I’d never have you on my show. Ever. The only reason you’re here is because I’m feeling generous.”
My nails dug into my palms. I wanted to shout, to wipe that arrogance off her face. But I held myself back. Barely. “And what if I told you that I could expose the truth behind everything that’s been happening?”
Her laugh was short and sharp. “Truth? There are videos of you everywhere. Pictures. Headlines. You’re the perfect scandal. What could you possibly say to make the public see you as anything else?”
Her voice dripped with judgment. It made my stomach twist. “Those were edited. You of all people should know how easy it is to twist a story.”
Lisa’s expression didn’t change, but I saw something flicker in her eyes—just for a second. “Even if they were, the world doesn’t care about your truth,” she said. “They care about the drama. About you falling apart.”
I took a deep breath. “Fine. Do as you please. I came here because I thought you’d understand. Because once, your story wasn’t that different from mine.”
That caught her off guard. “Excuse me?”
“I know about you and Ethan,” I said quietly. “What happened after your breakup. How the media painted you as the jealous, desperate ex. How he let everyone believe it.”
Her expression hardened. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I do,” I said. “You were humiliated, dragged through the press, and made to look like the villain. And he never defended you. He moved on with someone else, pretending you didn’t exist.”
Her fingers froze on her tablet. For the first time since I’d entered the room, Lisa didn’t have a comeback.
“You didn’t deserve that, Lisa,” I said softly. “You deserved a chance to explain yourself. To tell your side. Everyone does. Including me.”
She stood up slowly, her chair sliding back with a sharp sound. “You think you can use my past against me?”
“I’m not using it against you,” I said, forcing my voice to stay even. “I’m reminding you what it feels like to be silenced.”
Her lips tightened. “Don’t compare us.”
“Why not? We both got burned by people who were supposed to protect us. We both lost everything overnight. The difference is, you found a way to rebuild. I’m still trying.”
Lisa turned away, pacing toward the tall window behind her desk. For a second, I thought she was listening. Her shoulders tensed, her reflection in the glass unreadable.
“If you gave me five minutes on your show,” I said, stepping forward, “I could explain everything. Let the truth breathe for once. It would boost your ratings and give me a shot at redemption. It’s a win for both of us.”
She didn’t respond.
“Lisa?” I pressed.
Her silence stretched too long. Finally, she turned back to me. “Get out.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You heard me. Get out of my office.”
“Lisa—”
“It’s Ms. Sterling to you,” she snapped, her tone icy again. “I don’t need your pity or your stories. You came here thinking we’re the same. We’re not.”
She moved to her desk, pressing the intercom. “Security.”
I felt my throat tighten, but I forced myself to stay calm. “You can throw me out, but you know I’m right. You were me once, Lisa. Maybe you still are.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t respond.
The door opened behind me, and a tall guard stepped in. I turned to leave before he touched me. My pulse was pounding, but I managed to keep my head high.
As I reached the door, Lisa spoke again, voice low. “You think the world will listen to you? They won’t.”
I stopped. “They will,” I said, looking back at her. “Because I’m not afraid to tell the truth anymore.”
Her expression flickered something cold, then something almost human. But she said nothing.
I walked out, heart racing. Every nerve in me was alive. I didn’t know what would happen next, but for the first time in weeks, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Hope.