Brielle often portrayed Ariana as an unremarkable woman, but upon meeting her, he was taken aback. She was, in fact, a striking woman, more so than Brielle.

As he engaged with Brielle, his attention remained fixed on Ariana.

Ariana, noticing his lecherous gaze, recoiled slightly. Undeterred, Reilly broke the silence.

“Never expected Mr. Anderson's wife to be such a stunner."

Ariana paid no attention to him, but he continued in a repulsive tone, “Should you need a job, Star Club has plenty of openings. You'll be well taken care of, and can maintain your Lifestyle."

Brielle, sensing something amiss, soon realized that Reilly's affections had swayed. He had a soft spot for Ariana.

Bristling at Ariana, she clung to Reilly, her voice carrying a note of desperation.

“Weren't you bringing me here to eat? Standing here is tiring, let's head in."

Trying to rush Reilly away, Brielle tugged at his arm. Her eagerness to end his conversation with Ariana was evident. But he shrugged her off, directing a warm smile at Ariana.

“Are you feeling chilly, Miss Edwards? Care to join us for dinner?"

“No thanks, Mr. Holmes. You should go with your girlfriend," Ariana replied coolly, retreating a step.

“Don't be so quick to dismiss the idea, Miss Edwards," he said, stepping closer. As he reached out, Ariana dodged him, but he persisted.

Suddenly, a hand clamped onto Reilly's wrist.

“What do you think you're doing to my wife?"

A cry of pain echoed from Reilly's Lips. Ariana, fearing that Theodore might ensnare himself in unnecessary complications, edged forward; she tugged at his sleeve gently. Heeding her silent plea, Theodore released Reilly.

The sight of Theodore took Brielle by surprise; she hadn't anticipated his presence. Memories of the funeral flooded back, chilling her to the bone. The nerve to meet his gaze abandoned her and she Lowered her head. The realization that she had ruffled Ariana's feathers earlier in the day washed over her with regret. Regardless of the Anderson Group's pending bankruptcy, Theodore remained a formidable adversary.

Brielle reached for Reilly's hand.

"Dear, let's just go."

Yet, Reilly held his ground, his glare fixed on Theodore. He chided Brielle in hushed tones, “Leave now, and it's a blow to my pride!

In his view, retreat would only stain his honor. The once-feared Anderson Group was now teetering on the brink of insolvency, and with it, the dread Theodore had once instilled evaporated.