Pacing by the door, Ariana's inner turmoil reached a peak. Casting a glance at the villa's fence and then at a large tree nearby, an idea sparked in her mind.

Ariana, with her martial arts prowess, ascended the towering tree beside the wall in just a handful of moves. A limb of the tree stretched over the wall, guiding her gently into the yard. She peeked over cautiously, trying to catch a glimpse of what Holden and Sadie were up to.

Despite her vantage point, all she could see was the living room.

The curtain there was open, but the one on the second floor was drawn shut, allowing only a dim light to seep through.

Ariana felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She couldn't stop her mind from wandering into various scenarios, each more disheartening than the last. Time seemed to drag on, and she started to fear that Holden and Sadie might be sharing a kiss now.

The thought alone was enough to make her heart sink further. The more she dwelled on these possibilities, the closer she came to tears.

Deep down, she cursed Holden, branding him a liar and a hypocrite for accusing her while seemingly engaging in the very behavior he condemned.

As she sulked on the tree, contemplating whether to intrude, the door suddenly opened. Lifting her gaze, she saw Holden stepping outside.

The sight of him took her by surprise.

The branch she was perched on offered no concealment, and she knew Holden would spot her instantly.

The thought of descending in haste crossed her mind, but a look downward reminded her of the height she had reached. The realization made her nervous.

The idea of climbing down seemed daunting now.

Ariana had only intended to sneak a peek, never anticipating how high she would climb. Her legs trembled, and panic set in at the thought of being caught.

Such embarrassment would be unbearable!

As Holden's gaze turned, Ariana clenched her jaw, summoned her courage, and resolved to leap. It was a risky decision, but she didn't have time to worry about the danger now.

Just as she was about to make the jump, Holden noticed her.

Recognizing her intent, he called out in a tone laced with concern, “Don't move!"

Ariana, caught off guard, froze. It dawned on her that Holden had spotted her. She shut her eyes, letting a few seconds pass in awkward silence before turning to face him with a sheepish grin.

“What a coincidence! Why are you here? Didn't you promise to wait for me at home?"

Holden gazed at her, noticing the apprehension on her face.