Verena stepped out of the elevator, ready to start her shift. As she walked, she overheard familiar voices.
She paused and turned, spotting Ariana, who was sitting with a woman she didn't recognize.
Upon closer inspection, Verena realized the woman was most likely Ariana's assistant, Jen.
Verena remembered how Ariana had a way of making people feel like they owed her something, and she had chosen Jen as her obedient sidekick.
She was not only involved in the murder scene but also when Ariana schemed against her.
Verena clenched her fist tightly.
She had always been confused by their friendship.
With all the humiliation and manipulation, why did Jen still stick by someone like Ariana?
She quietly found a spot where she could listen in without being seen.
"You still going to meet him tomorrow?" Jen asked, her voice full of concern. "He'll help boost your career."
"I told you, I have a meeting with Louis. He's back, so I can't stay away from him anymore. My dad worked hard to get me an appointment with him," Ariana said, distracted as she looked at her perfectly polished nails.
Jen frowned slightly.
She knew how much Ariana admired Louis Heisenberg, but everyone—including Jen—knew it was impossible for Louis to like Ariana.
Jen couldn't bring herself to say that though. Ariana's anger was unpredictable, and Jen didn't want to risk it.
Verena sighed and thought it was time to head to her shift, but just then, she heard her name.
"So, it's true that Verena is back?" Jen asked.
The mention of her name made Ariana's smile vanish.
"Damn, why did you have to ruin my mood by saying that witch's name?"
Ariana glared at Jen, her appetite for the food in front of her gone. They were dining in the hotel lobby.
Jen hesitated but asked, "Are… you not scared she could be a threat?"
Ariana's eyes narrowed as she stared into space, then she laughed bitterly.
"Why would she dare to speak the truth now? She's the one who was punished for her crimes."
Jen was careful with her words as she asked, "Since she's out… what if she wants revenge?"
The idea made Ariana's heart skip a beat, but she quickly dismissed it.
"Revenge? That girl? She doesn't even know what revenge means! She's just a simple, innocent-looking girl who does whatever she's told."
Ariana took a sip of her drink and added, "Don't be so silly. What time is it? When is he showing up?"
Jen checked her phone. "He should be here by now… oh, there he is!"
Verena saw Ariana's face light up as the middle-aged man approached them.
Ariana smiled at him, but as he turned around, Verena noticed the smile slip from her face, replaced by a hint of disgust.
Still, Ariana walked with the man, who had his arm around her waist, guiding her toward the elevator.
Verena quickly snapped some photos from behind, but none of them were clear enough to confirm it was Ariana.
So, she got into the next elevator, heading for the same floor they had chosen.
When the doors opened, Verena hurried out, scanning the hallway. She panicked for a second, thinking she might have lost them.
She walked carefully down the hallway, trying to stay quiet, when she saw them.
Ariana and the man were kissing in front of a hotel room. Verena could tell the man was already eyeing her with that familiar, predatory look.
What confused her, though, was the fact that Ariana—who clearly seemed disgusted by him so how come she could put her mouth in someone's mouth whom she despised?
Verena recalled that horrible onenight at which that guy eat her lips that her lips kept hurting for a whole week.
Verena snapped a few more photos before quickly retreating. She didn't want to get caught by them.
When her shift was finally over, Verena stepped outside the hotel and stood for a moment, thinking about everything she had learned.
A devilish smile crept onto her face. She now had everything she needed to take her revenge.