The 99th Game Was Mine All Along novel Chapter 19

Luigi remained frozen, his hand rising slowly to touch his reddening cheek, stunned disbelief written across his unshaven face.

"You're... real?" he whispered, staring at her as if she might evaporate.

Ariana had reached her absolute limit with this absurd day. She laughed—a sharp, brittle sound utterly devoid of humor.

"Real? Sure. Apparently I'm trapped in a real-life horror movie where my supposed death wasn't enough to get you out of my life."

Without deigning to look at him again, she pivoted sharply toward the staircase.

"Ariana, wait—please!"

Luigi lunged after her, alcohol and desperation making his movements clumsy. As he grabbed for her wrist, the combination of his unsteady state and her quick evasion created disaster—her foot slipped on the polished marble step.

"Look out!"

Despite his impaired reflexes, Luigi managed to pull her against him as they fell, positioning his body to take the impact.

Their bodies hit the marble stairs with a sickening thud that echoed through the foyer.

Cushioned by Luigi's intervention, Ariana escaped with minor disorientation. Luigi, however, wasn't as fortunate—a crimson stain began spreading across the white marble beneath his head.

"Sir!" Davis's horrified voice cut through the sudden stunned silence.

The household erupted into controlled chaos as medical protocols were activated. Within fifteen minutes, both were being loaded into separate ambulances.

Several days later, with Luigi still hospitalized, Ariana decided it was finally time to execute her escape.

She packed her few belongings and headed confidently for the main entrance, only to find her path blocked by two female security staff in business attire.

Ariana's expression immediately hardened into glacial contempt. "Move."

The women exchanged uncomfortable glances. "Ms. Collins, we have strict instructions that you're not to leave the premises without Mr. Maggiore's authorization."

A disbelieving laugh escaped her. "Are you seriously trying to hold me prisoner? In 2025? That's a bold felony choice."

Before they could formulate a response, she attempted to push past them toward the massive front doors.

Caught between following their employer's orders and physically restraining a clearly unwilling woman, the security team hesitated to use force, instead trailing after her with increasing desperation.

"Ms. Collins, please reconsider—Mr. Maggiore was very explicit—"