Instead, she continued walking along the hallway.
It turned out she was on the third floor.
She walked down the stairs until she reached the opulent lobby on the first floor.
The lobby was gorgeously decorated.
The floor was covered with expensive carpets, and the ceiling was adorned with famous paintings.
The lights were lavish, and the windows seemed to be made of transparent gemstones instead of glass.
Ariana walked around the living room, but she couldnât find any exit.
She started to panic.
Various speculations filled her mind.
Why was she in this place? What had happened to the people in the arena? Who had rescued her?
It couldnât be Holden because he would never leave her alone in such a strange place.
And she hadnât seen him or anyone else except the servants.
So, what was this place?
Ariana pondered for a while.
Then, she noticed a phone in the living room.
Her eyes lit up.
She quickly picked it up and dialed Holdenâs number.
She waited nervously.
After two rings, she heard a beep, which was an indication that the call was connected.
Ariana was about to speak when a familiar male voice sounded from the other end of the Line.
âDonât waste your time.
â
Ariana froze upon hearing this.
It wasnât Holdenâs voice.
The voice belonged to the man she had seen in the arena.
The call had clearly been intercepted.
The manâs voice was mocking and a bit playful.
âYou canât escape.
I am watching your every move, so donât try anything pointless.
â
Ariana steadied herself and tightened her grip on the phone.
âWho are you? Why did you take me here? We donât have any beef, do we?â she asked.
On the other end, there was a light chuckle.
âSomeone sold your life to me, so naturally, I accepted the deal.
â
When Ariana heard this, she clenched her teeth and asked, âIs it Zayden?â
Bennett didnât confirm or deny.
He just chuckled again and said, âYou donât need the details.
All you need to know is that your life belongs to me now.
You better behave, my little prey.
â
Ariana was really angry now.
She had already been scared, and his words just pushed her to the edge.
âMy life has always been mine! You heartless people treat human lives like theyâre just things to be bought and sold! Youâre monsters! So despicable!â
Bennett was lounging casually with his legs crossed, sitting in front of his computer, watching Ariana turn red with anger.
He ignored her words, sipped his wine, and thought to himself how interesting she was.
After Ariana had calmed down a bit, she swallowed her anger and said, âWhat do you want to let me go? I can pay whatever you ask.
â
She paused, then added, âI admit, Zayden and I have some bad history, but thatâs our problem.
Heâs a snake, always ready to betray people, never loyal.
â