351: POWER PLAY

ARIEL'S POV Simon's sudden appearance startled me, but who the hell was he to frighten me? "Oh, look who decided to show up," I spat, giving him a fake smile. "Just in time to defend mommy and daddy's dirty deeds, I see." Simon's jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring with barely contained rage. "You have no right to come here and cause trouble," he growled. I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "Oh, please, spare me your self-righteous indignation," I retorted. "You're just as guilty as they are, Simon. You've been complicit in tearing down my family's legacy from the start." His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flickering in their depths. "Watch your mouth, Ariel," he warned, his voice low and menacing. "You don't know what you're talking about." I stepped forward, closing the distance between us, my gaze locked with his. "I know exactly what I'm talking about. "And I won't let you or your family get away with what you've done." His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw working