Chapter 56: Her Game Now
The smile on Ariana's lips didn't reach her eyes.
It was cold. Calculated.
Dangerous.
The man narrowed his gaze slightly, sensing the shift.
"Careful," he said. "You're not in a position to play games."
Ariana tilted her head just a little, her voice calm now—too calm.
"You're right," she said.
"I'm not here to play games."
A pause.
Then—
"I'm here to end one."
The air changed.
Adrian's eyes locked onto her, something sharp flashing in them.
He knew that look.
She had a plan.
But he didn't know what it was.
And that made it even more dangerous.
The man let out a soft chuckle.
"Bold words. But you're still outnumbered."
Ariana didn't argue.
Instead, she slowly raised her hands—showing she had no weapon.
"I'll agree to your deal," she said.
Silence.
Even Adrian froze.
"What?" he snapped. "Ariana, no—"
"Relax," she cut him off without looking at him.
"Let me finish."
Her eyes remained fixed on the man.
"You want Adrian alive," she continued.
"You want control over him… his power… his empire."
The man smiled slightly.
"Now you're understanding."
Ariana nodded faintly.
"Then let's make it clean," she said.
"You release my daughter… and I make sure Adrian comes with you willingly."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"That's not happening," he said coldly.
But Ariana ignored him.
The man studied her carefully.
"You expect me to trust you?" he asked.
"No," Ariana said immediately.
"I expect you to trust your advantage."
She took a slow step forward.
"You already have him," she added, glancing briefly at Adrian.
"You already have the upper hand."
A pause.
Then—
"Or are you scared I might outsmart you?" she asked softly.
That hit.
Hard.
The man's eyes darkened slightly.
He didn't like being challenged.
"I don't get outsmarted," he said.
Ariana's lips curved faintly.
"Then prove it."
Silence stretched between them.
Heavy. Tense.
Finally—
The man gestured to one of his men.
"Bring the girl."
Ariana's heart skipped.
This was it.
A moment later—
Footsteps.
Light. Uneven.
And then—
She appeared.
The little girl from the video.
Same eyes.
Same face.
Ariana's breath broke.
"My baby…"
The girl looked scared, confused—but the moment her eyes landed on Ariana—
"Mom…"
That one word shattered everything.
Ariana almost ran to her—
But forced herself to stay still.
Not yet.
Not until it was over.
The man watched her reaction closely.
"Emotional reunions later," he said.
"First, we complete the deal."
Ariana nodded slowly.
"Yes," she said.
Her voice didn't shake anymore.
"Let him go."
The man smirked.
"After you come here."
Ariana didn't hesitate.
She walked forward.
Step by step.
Closer to him.
Closer to danger.
Adrian's voice cut through the air—
"Ariana, stop."
She didn't.
"Don't do this," he said, more urgently now.
Finally—
She stopped.
Right in front of the man.
Close enough to see the cruelty in his eyes.
Close enough—
To end it.
Her gaze flickered once—
To the side.
Barely noticeable.
But Adrian saw it.
And in that second—
He understood.
Ariana leaned in slightly toward the man.
"So," she said softly,
"deal?"
He smiled.
"Deal."
The word had barely left his lips—
When everything exploded.
Ariana moved first.
Fast. Precise.
Her knee drove straight into his stomach.
He gasped—
Caught off guard.
At the same time—
Adrian reacted.
He twisted his body, slamming his elbow into the man holding him, knocking the gun aside.
BANG!
A shot fired—but missed.
Chaos erupted.
Ariana grabbed the man's collar, pulling him down hard as he tried to recover.
"You really thought I'd choose?" she hissed in his ear.
Across the room—
Adrian fought off two men at once, his movements sharp and lethal.
Another gunshot rang out.
Glass shattered.
The little girl screamed.
Ariana's head snapped toward her—
No.
Not again.
She shoved the man away and ran.
"Stay down!" she shouted to the girl.
One of the armed men turned toward the child—
Gun raised.
Adrian saw it.
Time slowed.
"No!" he roared.
He lunged—
But he was too far.
The trigger—
Was about to be pulled.
And Ariana—
Was still running toward her daughter.
Cliffhanger:
👉 The gun fires—
But someone unexpected jumps in front of the bullet… 😈