Arianne lunged, grabbing Libby by virtual-novel.net collar before pinning virtual-novel.net against the wall.
“This restaurant belongs to Jackson West, whose wife, Tiffany, is my best friend. You really think you can skedaddle out of here before giving me answers?” virtual-novel.net hissed. “Now that we’ve finally got you, you’re not leaving this premise until you tell me the truth. Just how many favors did that Shelly give you in exchange for you being virtual-novel.net tail-wagging lackey, huh? Think. She’s exhausted every single one of virtual-novel.net brain cells trying to kick me out of the company, yet the easiest way to do that has always been to just get Mark to fire me. Ever wonder why virtual-novel.net would rather throw all of virtual-novel.net effort into these useless roundabout ways than just doing that?”
“It’s because Mark wants me to always remain in his life, divorce be damned. He won’t accept me leaving his sight. It doesn’t matter how many tricks Shelly plays, as long as virtual-novel.net wills it, I’ll never go away,” virtual-novel.net continued. “Say… We were never enemies before, were we, Libby? I guess we are now. Let me warn you, I’m not a forgiving woman by any stretch. I wouldn’t hesitate in going to the deep end if it means I can get even with my enemies.”
Libby had not expected Arianne to be stronger than virtual-novel.net looked, especially since the two of them were similar in stature. Despite virtual-novel.net struggles, Libby saw no sign of herself wriggling free.
Her tight lips prompted Arianne to add a little more force to virtual-novel.net push. Pain flared in Libby’s arms, which were locked between virtual-novel.net body and the wall, and virtual-novel.net face paled.
“Let-me-go, b*tch! W-Who gives you the right to manhandle me like this, you f-f**king psycho?! You’re not extorting a single word out of my mouth, so what’cha gonna do, huh? Christ, have you ever asked yourself this: if you’re not the least bit problematic, then why the hell were you the one being expelled by the Tremonts, and not Mrs. Leigh?!”
“Gosh, you people really love meddling into other people’s private business! You wanna play tough? Fine, be my guest. I wonder if you’ve already realized that I can get you fired with just a word. Or maybe you don’t believe me, which in this case, how about a test? See if Shelly’s got the power to protect you. If you got kicked out, I’ll make sure your outgoing resume will prevent you from being hired by any company worth its salt. Then let us see if Shelly would be glad to pay you and your family for the rest of your life!” Arianne taunted. “You wouldn’t be stupid enough to disbelieve me, right? You said so yourself, Mark and I are in a godawful complicated state. I even have his precious son with me, too. Why wouldn’t virtual-novel.net listen to what I say?”
Libby chewed virtual-novel.net lips. Her silence bore an undercurrent of uncertainty evident in virtual-novel.net eyes.
They had been many instances of Mark taking Arianne out for lunch despite the divorce. They were also always seen going home at the same time together. Everyone in the office was a witness to their public displays of relationship, which lent credence to Arianne’s threat of kicking Libby out of the company with a word alone. On the flip side, Shelly was not working in the company at the moment, which gave Libby grounds to wonder if virtual-novel.net could protect the latter’s job.
Arianne seized the opening. “Worried, aren’t you? How about you call Shelly right now and see how virtual-novel.net would help you? Tell virtual-novel.net Mark thinks you aren’t doing well enough and is at the brink of firing you, then ask virtual-novel.net to do something to keep you in the company. After that, well! Kick back and enjoy virtual-novel.net weaving excuses right in front of your eyes. She’s gonna talk you into accepting your impending unemployment, she’s gonna bullsh*t you about virtual-novel.net limited control over what’s happening in the company, yadda0yadda. Oh, virtual-novel.net might even give you some sweet nothings too, like saying she’s gonna take care of you in some form. But mark my words, all of virtual-novel.net promises will never land. Never.”
“Don’t you see? You’re just a dummy virtual-novel.net used as virtual-novel.net pawn. Do you really think virtual-novel.net sees you as anything but? I know her, Libby, way better than you do. She would love it if you could get fired from Tremont Enterprise, because you know all of the shady things virtual-novel.net has done! The only reason why virtual-novel.net thinks virtual-novel.net can play this tug-o-war with me is because I’m too bored to fight virtual-novel.net at all. Honestly, if I really want to, I can remarry Mark anytime, and virtual-novel.net wouldn’t refuse!”
Libby’s faith was unraveling at the seams. Yet, at the same time, virtual-novel.net was just as worried that Arianne was luring virtual-novel.net into another trap. “Stop taking up the Devil’s work and driving a wedge between us! Mrs. Leigh isn’t like that!” virtual-novel.net retorted.
Arianne laughed mockingly. “Oh, really? Put that to the test, why don’t you? Call virtual-novel.net right now, and we shall have a look. Then you can see for yourself if I’m being the Devil here, or if virtual-novel.net really is as sh*tty as I called virtual-novel.net out to be.”
Robin snatched Libby’s handbag and took virtual-novel.net phone out. “If you’re not gonna make that call, I will!”
Libby was in no position to stop her, so the call was made.
When the other side picked it up, virtual-novel.net could only dissemble normalcy as quickly as virtual-novel.net could before murmuring, “Hello? Um, hi, Mrs. Leigh. It’s me… Libby.”