Chapter 487

Arianna didn't coax or comfort Brittany, letting her cry until her tears subsided. Then she asked, "Are you ready to talk now?"

Brittany blew her nose with the tissue Arianna offered. With wet eyes, she said, "He's getting engaged, but I don't even know who the woman is." "So that's it," Arianna sighed. "I thought it was something bigger. He's only getting engaged, not married. Even if it were marriage, divorce rates are high these days. What's the problem?"

Since discovering Alexander's engagement, no one had offered Brittany such perspective. Her parents carefully avoided the topic, while Brandon bluntly advised her to give up. Arianna's nonchalant response—"It's not a big deal"—stunned her.

"Is that so?" Brittany asked.

"Why not?" Arianna picked up two cups of fruit tea, bending at the waist. Handing one to Brittany, she held the other to warm her hand. "Brittany, I'm not trying to be harsh, but look in the mirror. You're a great catch. Do you know how desirable you are? You have so many fans, including movie fans. There are plenty of people crazy about you. Why lack confidence? I've always admired you. You love hard and hate hard. You go after what you want. Yet…," she sighed, shaking her head. "I…I've been pursuing him."

Brittany's face flushed with anxiety. "I chased him for years. You know this, but he's indifferent. What am I supposed to do?"

Brittany felt she'd worked incredibly hard. Others would have given up, but not her; she'd persisted. She believed her determination would win him over, securing a happy ending. "You call that pursuing?" Arianna shook her head incredulously.

"Isn't it?" Brittany was confused.

A faintly mocking smile played on Arianna's lips. Looking at Brittany, she said, a little cruelly, "Brittany, frankly, what you've done isn't 'pursuing.' It's 'flattery.'"

Brittany reacted violently, slamming her cup onto the coffee table with a sharp ring. She stood abruptly, but her legs, numb from sitting cross-legged, gave way. She fell onto Arianna, spilling the tea and wetting both their clothes.

"Arianna! I consider you a friend, and you insult me like this? I'm furious!"

Her anger subsided, though she remained vexed.

Arianna, clothes wet, frowned, set down her cup, and dabbed at the stain. "Get angry if you must. You don't like hearing the truth. Fine if you don't want to listen. I won't say anything more."

Turning toward the stairs, she started to leave. Brittany's anxiety returned. Arianna was the only one who understood her. She craved comfort, and if Arianna ignored her, who would listen? "Arianna, Arianna, don't go! That's not what I meant. Don't be angry. I'm not angry, so why are you getting angry at me?" Brittany ran to grab Arianna's wrist.

"Then are you still angry?" Arianna stopped and turned.