Sonia was seething with anger as she delivered the juicy news.

"Your sister is quite the hotshot, isn't she? Bagging an incredible opportunity like this. I wouldn't be surprised if the movie producer announces it any minute now. She's going to be rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the industry, all while grabbing the spotlight as a new actress. It's like she's hit the jackpot!"

Ariana thought for a while, and then an idea popped into her head. She confided in her trusted friend, "My dear friend, can I ask for your assistance?"

Without hesitation, Sonia replied, "Of course, just name it. Your business is my business."

Feeling grateful for Sonia's loyalty, Ariana whispered her plan.

"If Brielle wants to be in the spotlight, why not give her a taste of it beforehand?"

After discussing the plan with Sonia, Ariana decided to retreat to her newly rented apartment to clear her mind.

As she entered the room, she was immediately struck by the cold, unwelcoming ambiance. There wasn't much furniture in the apartment, with only a single white suitcase sitting in the corner. It was a lonely sight, and Ariana couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness.

Although she knew she should decorate the apartment to make it feel homier, she found herself standing still and lacking the motivation to do anything. The day had been exhausting, and the emotional turmoil she had been experiencing had drained her energy.

Ariana surveyed the room and let out a deep sigh. As she did, her gaze landed on the white suitcase, which reminded her of the haste with which she had packed her things that morning. She realized that she had left behind many items in the Anderson family's mansion, including half-eaten snacks and a doll that had been her companion for years. A pang of nostalgia washed over her, and she longed for the familiar comforts of her old home.

Upon second thought, Ariana decided that it did not matter much.

As the evening sun beamed into the room, the dying flowers on the table swayed with the wind, mirroring Ariana's own tumultuous emotions.

She slowly removed her coat and gazed out the window for what seemed like hours, feeling a sense of restlessness and exhaustion as if she had been drained of all her energy. The emptiness of the apartment, with its barren walls and lack of furnishings, only heightened her feelings of loneliness and isolation.

When she had been at the Anderson family's mansion, despite Theodore's sullen demeanor, she had never felt bored as he would often bicker with her.

Furthermore, Judy had been a constant source of care and comfort, always ensuring that Ariana was well-fed and taken care of.

The clock on the wall ticked relentlessly, reminding Ariana of the time.

It was six o'clock, the time when the mansion was usually filled with the sound of clattering cutlery, the chime of glasses, and Theodore's stern voice. She couldn't help but wonder if Theodore had noticed her absence yet.

Ariana picked up her phone and scrolled through her messages, hoping to find something from him. But the phone screen remained blank, devoid of any new messages or missed calls.

As the realization sunk in that she had no family now, Ariana felt a pang of loneliness and sadness.

She hugged her knees and buried her face, feeling the weight of her desolation.