Twisted Ties of Love
Chapter 358

Ariana was a wreck and full of hate for Izabella. Glaring at her phone on the floor, with the screen facing her, she was fixated on the comments.

"Ariana has been exposed. Izabella doesn't have as many flaws as she does. The only thing Ariana has going for her is her acting, but even that is not on par with Izabella. Fans should stop praising her; she's just not classy."

With red, teary eyes, Ariana choked out, "Izabella did this on purpose. She's out to get me. The witch!"

She had the video from the get-go. Why didn't she clear the air sooner? Why wait until the press conference to release it? What a cold-blooded move!

Ariana clenched her fists, not even feeling the pain from her nails digging into her palms. Just then, she felt a warm touch on the back of her hand and looked up to see Harper, who was crouching next to her, comforting her.

"Ariana, we messed up from the start. Others may be kicking us while we're down, but we brought this on ourselves. Celebrities make mistakes. As long as we apologize from the heart, the fans will forgive..." Before Harper could finish, Ariana slapped him across the face.

Harper was stunned, staring at her in confusion.

"Ariana..."

"Don't call me! I don't need you right now!" Ariana pushed him away and got up. "Forget it, go find Izabella. Go apologize to her!"

Harper frowned at her, wanting to explain, but Ariana wouldn't give him the chance.

"Don't you have any backbone? Why do you always let others walk all over you? I can't stand people like you!"

Ariana grumbled, wishing she knew Casey. With him, she could have everything she wanted.

Harper watched Ariana, a bitter feeling creeping up as the picture-perfect image of her in his mind shattered. Even though they were close, he felt like he never really knew her. With a bitter smile, Harper said, "So, in your eyes, I'm just a weakling."

Ariana's eyes widened, her face paled, and her eyes filled with fear. She tentatively glanced at Harper, wanting to say something but too scared to speak, her lips trembling.

She felt a twinge of regret for what she had just said, but she didn't believe she was wrong. Harper was a weakling.

But right now, Harper was the only one who could help her. She was desperate for a way out, and he was the only one who could take the blame for her. As long as Harper admitted to the press that he had altered the script and she had nothing to do with it, she could start over.

One person taking the blame was better than two.

She couldn't fail now. She had worked so hard to get to where she was today, and with scripts for lead roles coming her way, she was on the brink of making it big. She couldn't fall now.

As for Harper, he was in the spotlight because of her. He was involved in this mess, so it was only fair that he take the blame.

"Harper, I'm sorry." She bowed her head, apologizing sincerely, "I said those things in the heat of the moment. I didn't mean it."

The room fell into an eerie silence. Ariana was a bundle of nerves. As usual, she grabbed Harper's hand, cooing, "Harper, I didn't mean to say those things. I know I made a mistake. Please forgive me.' Harper looked at Ariana's red eyes, his anger subsiding. He couldn't be cold towards her.

Harper shook his head, but the bitterness lingered.

Knowing his nature, Ariana walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his chest.

This sudden closeness caused Harper to hold his breath and his heart to race. In real life, he didn't even dare to hold her hand.

He hesitated for a while, then placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a comforting pat, "It's okay. I didn't take it to heart. I forgive you."

He thought Ariana would let go, but he found her grip tightening, and their bodies pressed against each other. Harper could even feel her softness. Slowly, his face turned stiff.

In a hoarse voice, Harper called out, "Ariana?"

"Harper, do you like me?" Ariana looked up at him, her face flushing.

Seeing Harper just staring at her, not saying a word, Ariana knew she had him. She had known that Harper liked her for a long time. But since he never expressed it, she pretended not to know.

She placed her hand on Harper's chest, her voice soft, "Harper, I can hear your heartbeat. You can't lie to me."

Harper swallowed, took a moment, then sighed, "Yes, I do like you." He had liked her for a long time. But he knew Ariana didn't feel the same way about him.

Even though he knew Ariana could be manipulative, arrogant, and look down on people, he still liked her. Maybe she gave him something no one else could, and that's why he couldn't forget her after all these years.

Getting the answer she wanted, Ariana beamed, "Harper, I know I made a mistake, but there's no magic potion to go back in time. Can you help me?"

Following up on her words, Harper asked, "Help you with what?"

"Go out there, in front of the press, and admit that you planned everything and that I had nothing to do with it."

Now it was Harper's turn to go pale, "You want me to face the press alone?"

"Don't you like me? Harper, please agree. It's better for one person to suffer than two. Even though it was my idea, you also benefited from it, didn't you? And according to the rules of the show, only you had the right to alter the script."

Harper still didn't respond, which was making Ariana impatient. But she knew the only person who could help her now was Harper. She had to pin the blame on him. She couldn't let Izabella ruin her! She tiptoed, her mouth close to Harper's ear, whispering, "Harper, if you agree, I'll be with you."

No sooner had she finished than Harper pushed her away. Ariana stumbled backward, grabbing the nearest chair for support.

"Ariana, love is not a bargaining chip."

"So, you're gonna turn me down, huh? You really want to see me get slammed by everyone; seeing my career ruined will make you happy, right? Harper, I am not like you. I want a better life. I want to be more famous. Do you know how much time and effort I have put in to get where I am today? I can't bear to see all my efforts go to waste. Harper, please help me. Take the blame for me. I will make it up to you." Ariana choked up. She sounded confident, but she could not bring herself to meet Harper's eyes.

"Harper, haven't you always cared about me? Our teacher asked you to take care of me before he passed away; you haven't forgotten that, right?"

She was actually using their mutual feelings and their teacher to press Harper. Harper clenched his teeth and fists; his knuckles were white.

"And... weren't you just about to apologize to Izabella?" Her voice grew softer.

"Enough. Stop talking." Harper interrupted with a heavy voice.

Ariana took a careful look at Harper. Seeing his gloomy face, she pursed her lips, momentarily forgetting her act of being wronged, and just stared at him stiffly.

"I'll go out and tell them now; this whole thing has nothing to do with you."

Ariana's face perked up. "Really?"

Seeing her happy face, Harper felt even more complicated, as if he had swallowed shards of glass, the pain throbbing from his throat down to his chest. He could only clench his fists tighter to distract himself from the ache.

"This whole thing has nothing to do with you, and from now on neither do I."

Ariana pouted. "Harper."

"From now on, we have nothing to do with each other; this is all just a joke." The light in his eyes dimmed at that moment. He took one last look at Ariana, then turned and walked away without hesitation. Ariana watched his retreating figure, wanting to call out to him but ultimately remaining silent.

Since she had already decided to let Harper take the blame for her, she would not regret it. It's okay, she kept telling herself.

She would compensate him with resources in the future, and after all, Harper had also gained some fame from this. Besides, in this fast-paced internet age, people will soon forget this small incident. Izabella was packing her suitcase in her hotel room, her phone ringing constantly with calls from Mr. Kane, Rachel, Brad York, and Casey.

Especially Brad York, who called with a triumphant tone. "Ariana must be regretting it now, right? She shouldn't have messed with you; how did you manage to get the recording and video? You hid it so well. I was so anxious these past few days I couldn't sleep. I'm losing hair."

"There's no such thing as a regret pill in this world."

"That's true; Ariana should be too scared to cause any more trouble now, right?" Brad York asked confidently.

Izabella laughed lightly. "That's not necessarily true."

"There's more to this story? What's next?"

"Mr. York, have you ever heard of people who are completely loyal to others, giving everything for them? Harper's feelings for Ariana won't let her end like this."

Brad York, being a smart man, immediately understood Izabella's meaning. "You mean Harper will take the blame?"

"I didn't say that." Izabella didn't deny it.

"I was thinking, if you couldn't come up with a solution, I would release the audition process; let's see if these so-called professionals are blind."

"There's no need; the scenes Ariana and I auditioned for are not the same; it's not easy for the audience to compare, but..." Izabella paused, then continued, "If you really want to release it, you can, but not at this time."

Showing all the exciting parts at once would make the following less appealing.

"I've learned one thing; never mess with you." Brad York sighed on the other end of the phone.

Ariana was considered a promising actress; she was pretty and had spirit in her acting. If she didn't let her jealousy get the best of her, stayed humble, and didn't cause trouble, her reputation would continue to rise.

Brad York initially considered Ariana for the role of Megan, but was just considering it; without a contract, everything was subject to change. Then he met Izabella, who was more suitable for the role of Megan. Brad York was thinking about recommending Ariana to other directors to make it up to her, but he didn't expect Ariana to openly challenge the entire crew on the internet.

All he could say now was that she brought it on herself.

There was no extra expression on Izabella's face; she just nodded and replied lightly. "Thank you for your compliment."

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