Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 416

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Allison: "!!"

The moment she spotted Lexi, Allison's eyes widened slightly in surprise. But she quickly averted her gaze, fixing it firmly on Stefan instead.

Yet, Allison knew how to play the game.

If the other woman could pretend, why couldn't she?

In an instant, she masked her icy demeanor, slipping her arm through Stefan's with practiced ease. Then, with an expression of mild surprise, she turned to Lexi, who had hurried after them, and asked with a cheerful smile, "Is there something else you needed, Miss Kendrick?" Her tone was open and natural, betraying none of the tension or displeasure one might expect from a woman facing a romantic rival.

Lexi faltered for a moment, caught off guard.

But as soon as she regained her composure, the sight of Allison clinging so intimately to Stefan only deepened her disgust.

With no outsiders around to witness, she didn’t even bother acknowledging Allison. Instead, she turned her radiant smile directly toward Stefan, speaking as if they were the only two people present. "Stef, could we talk? I know a lovely little place with excellent pastries—would you like to join me?"

Stefan frowned slightly, his response swift and decisive. "I'm sorry, but I’m accompanying Alli today. Perhaps another time."

Lexi’s expression crumpled with wounded dismay.

Her eyes glistened with what seemed like deep affection and sorrow as she gazed at him, her voice laced with regret. "Can’t we just have a proper conversation? I know I went too far back then… I just wanted to apologize. Stef, I truly regret listening to those rumors."

Stefan maintained his polite yet distant smile. "I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re referring to, Miss Kendrick."

A flicker of realization—and hope—crossed Lexi’s face.

If he was still upset about the past, didn’t that mean he still cared about what they once had?

Her eyes brightened with renewed determination. "Stef, I know you’re still angry with me. But back then, I had no idea what kind of person your stepmother really was. She deliberately sabotaged us. Stef, I remember—"

Before she could finish, Allison cut in, her voice icy and expression unreadable.

"Miss Kendrick, have you forgotten that Stefan is a married man?"

Lexi froze instantly at those words.

Allison continued calmly, "What's done is done, whether good or bad. If you're here just to apologize for whatever harm you might have caused Stefan in the past, don’t worry—I forgive you on his behalf. Is there anything else?"

Lexi choked back her words, completely blindsided by this turn of events.

Her original plan had been to explain the past to Stefan and, if possible, reconcile with him. After all these years, she still believed no one had ever captured her heart the way he had. Back then, her feelings for him had been genuine—why else would she have chosen him? To her, it had been true love, ruined only by outside interference.

She had been too young, too naive.

Otherwise, she would never have been so easily swayed by others. Convinced that Stefan’s marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement, she hadn’t even bothered to regard Allison as a threat.

What was a marriage of convenience compared to real love?

So when Allison cut her off mid-sentence and presumptuously "forgave" her on Stefan’s behalf—completely derailing her plans—Lexi nearly lost her composure. This woman was infuriating! Disgusting! She had never taken this so-called sacrificial lamb of a business merger seriously.