Chapter 55: The Taste Of Revenge
The moment Diane was looking at the shrimps coming out from Isla’s mouth, she heard a loud shout.
"You stupid slut!"
Martin shot up from his seat, his chair scrapped loudly against the floor.
His eyes looked like they were burning with pure rage as he lunged at Diane, his hand grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her back violently.
"You crazy bitch!" he snarled, raising his hand.
The slap landed hard across Diane’s face, the sharp crack went through the stunned restaurant.
Gasps filled the air.
Waiters froze. Guests turned in shock.
But before Diane could react—before anyone could—Gabriel dropped Isla onto the ground and swung his fist straight into Martin’s face.
The impact was brutal.
Martin’s head snapped back, blood spurted from his nose as he stumbled and crashed into a nearby table, sending glasses and plates shattering onto the floor.
The restaurant staff scrambled, the scene escalated into a huge mess.
Gabriel stood over Martin, his fists clenched, eyes full of red lines.
"Touch my wife again, and I’ll break every damn bone in your body."
Martin groaned, clutching his bleeding nose. "She—she attacked my wife—"
Gabriel turned back, landing on Diane. "Are you okay?"
Diane’s cheek stung, but she didn’t touch it.
Instead, she calmly reached into her purse, pulled out her compact mirror, and fixed her lipstick.
Then, without saying a word, she turned on her heel and walked out of the restaurant.
Gabriel watched her go, without getting any answers of what exactly happened.
Seconds later, the sound of an ambulance siren filled the air.
"What a mess..."
Diane stepped out onto the street, pulling her phone from her pocket.
She didn’t want to go home—not to Gabriel, not to Leon, not to anyone.
She needed to breathe.
She dialed a familiar number.
"Riot, come pick me up."
There was a brief pause, then his familiar lazy drawl. "Damn, boss. You sound pissed."
"Just come."
Fifteen minutes later, Riot’s black motorcycle pulled up at the curb.
Diane climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms loosely around his waist.
"Where to?" Riot asked.
"Anywhere but home."
He didn’t question it. Just revved the engine and took off.
Riot brought Diane to a quiet hilltop just outside the city—a secluded spot overlooking the glowing skyline.
The wind over there was crisp, the air felt fresh, and for the first time all day, Diane felt like she could think.
She stepped off the bike, walking toward the edge of the hill, gazing down at the city lights.
Riot leaned against his motorcycle, watching her.
"So... you gonna tell me what happened?"
Diane let out a short, humorless laugh. "I shoved shrimp down Isla’s throat."
"Who’s Isla?" His eyebrow arched.
"Gabriel’s adopted sister..."
"Why did you do that?"
"Because she was allergic to it."
Riot blinked. "Damn. I mean, I expected something reckless, but—" He let out a low whistle. "That’s next level."
Diane chuckled, shaking her head.
"She set me up. Lied in front of Gabriel. Played the victim. I was done pretending."
Riot smirked. "Guessing Gabriel wasn’t too happy about that."
Diane scoffed. "Oh, he looked pissed. But I don’t care."
They fell into silence for a moment, both watched the city below.
Then Diane turned to him. "Why are you so close to Arthur by the way?"
Riot’s smirk faded. He looked away, running a hand through his hair.
For a long moment, he didn’t answer.
Diane tilted her head. "Riot?"
He exhaled slowly. "I had a younger brother once."
Diane’s brows furrowed. "Had?"
Riot clenched his jaw, his fingers tightened against the handlebars of his bike.
"My old man was a real piece of shit. Drank too much. Got violent when things didn’t go his way."
Diane’s stomach twisted.
"One night, he was really out of control," Riot continued in a quieter voice. "I was sixteen. My little brother, Miles, was only eight. He got scared, tried to hide from him."
Diane swallowed. "What happened?"
Riot let out a shaky breath.
"My father was waving his gun around, yelling about how we were all ungrateful brats. Said he was sick of us." His knuckles turned white.
"Miles tried to run past him to get to me. But my father—" His voice cracked slightly. "He turned too fast. The gun went off."
Diane felt a lump in her throat. "Riot..."
Riot stared at the city lights, blankly. "I watched my little brother die right in front of me."
Diane didn’t know what to say.
For the first time, she saw Riot not as the easygoing, cocky bodyguard—but as someone broken.
"I couldn’t save him," Riot murmured. "But Arthur... I can look out for him."
Diane stepped closer, hesitating before placing a hand on his arm.
Riot glanced at her, offering a weak smirk. "So yeah, that’s why I stick around, princess."
Diane gave his arm a squeeze. "Arthur’s lucky to have you."
Riot huffed. "Yeah, well. Kid’s been through enough. I just wanna make sure he doesn’t end up like me."
"You’re a good person, Riot."
He chuckled. "That’s a first."
They stood there in silence, the city glowing beneath them.
For once, Diane wasn’t thinking about Gabriel.
Or Isla.
Or revenge.
Just this moment.
And for now—
That was enough for her to breathe properly.
Her phone beeped violently beside her, vibrating against the rock she had placed it on.
Gabriel.
Call after call.
Text after text.
-Gabriel: Where are you?-
-Gabriel: Pick up the damn phone, Diane.-
-Gabriel: If you don’t answer me in the next five minutes, I will find you myself.-
Diane exhaled slowly, locking the screen without responding.
Let him wait.
"What exactly are your plans, Diane? What will you do about him?"
"I have no plans for Gabriel, if he grants me the divorce, I will be happy. If he doesn’t, I just hope he stops what he’s doing..."
"You’re the first female boss that I have, you know that?"
A small smile appeared on Diane’s lips, "let’s keep it this way."
*beep*
Another message came, but not from Gabriel, it was from Micha.
-Everything is ready for tomorrow, rabbit.-