**Chapter 2: The Oath of Vengeance**

As autumn descended upon Manhattan, Aaron Whitemore found himself standing in front of a floor-to-ceiling mirror in his penthouse. The reflection staring back at him showed a man with striking features, but it was the faint, reddened mark on his cheek that consumed his thoughts.

His resolve was unwavering. The memory of Arina's slap haunted him, and he had taken an oath to obliterate her social life, to strip away the happiness she seemed to enjoy. He believed that she had humiliated him, and that humiliation was a wound that festered.

With a deep breath, Aaron examined his reflection, tracing his fingers over the fading mark. "You won't forget this, Arina," he muttered to himself, his voice filled with simmering anger.

Aaron knew that to exact his revenge, he needed to get closer to Arina. He needed to understand her, know her vulnerabilities, and exploit them. And so, he had devised a cunning plan that began with a deceptive apology.

One chilly afternoon, Arina was sitting alone in the college courtyard, engrossed in a legal textbook. The distant chatter of students and the rustling leaves were the only sounds that disrupted the serenity. Suddenly, Aaron appeared, his expression a careful mix of humility and remorse.

"Arina," Aaron began, his voice laced with contrition, "I've been meaning to talk to you."

Arina looked up from her book, surprised to see him approaching. She closed the textbook, offering him a polite smile. "Of course, You again. What's on your mind?"

"I wanted to sincerely apologize for my behavior the other day," he said, his blue eyes appearing remorseful. "It was completely out of line, and I feel terrible about it."

Arina studied his face, searching for any hint of sincerity. "Apology accepted, Aaron. We all make mistakes.But I will still need time to reconsider about this friendship."

Aaron nodded, his façade intact. " Sure,And Thank you for your understanding. I'm genuinely trying to improve myself and learn from my errors."

Arina appreciated his apparent effort to change. "That's admirable. People can change if they're willing to learn and grow."

As Aaron continued to maintain this guise, Arina's trust in him began to solidify. She believed in the possibility of change and wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Days turned into weeks, and Arina's friendship with Aaron strengthened. He accompanied her to classes and study sessions, all the while subtly probing for information about her family. Arina, still unaware of his true intentions, spoke openly about her parents and their values.

One day in a silent library,

"My father has been a guardsman for years," Arina shared, her voice filled with pride. "He instilled in me the importance of integrity and standing up for what's right."

Aaron masked his true thoughts, carefully absorbing this information. "Your father sounds like a remarkable man, teaching you such valuable lessons."

"He is," Arina replied with genuine warmth. "I've always looked up to him."

Weeks turned into months, and Aaron's pretense of remorse continued to deceive Arina. She found herself increasingly drawn to his seemingly changed demeanor, believing in the possibility of redemption.

One crisp afternoon at Constance College, Arina shared her aspirations with Aaron as they sat on a bench overlooking the campus. "I'm really hoping to become Mr. Collins' assistant," she confided, her eyes shining with determination. "It would look great on my university applications."

Aaron's mind immediately seized upon this new piece of information. He concealed his ulterior motives behind a mask of enthusiasm. "That's an excellent goal, Arina. Mr. Collins is a prominent figure, and being his assistant would undoubtedly open doors for you."

Arina nodded, her smile reflecting her enthusiasm. "Exactly. It's a competitive position, though. I'll need to prove myself."

Unbeknownst to Arina, Aaron had a plan in motion. "You know," he began with a sly smile, "I might be able to help you with that."

Arina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How so?"

Aaron leaned in conspiratorially, his voice lowered. "I have some connections. I could introduce you to Mr. Collins, vouch for your dedication and work ethic. It might give you an edge over the competition."

Arina considered his offer carefully. "That would be incredible, Aaron. Thank you for offering to help."

Aaron's plot was falling into place. He had found a way to use Arina's aspirations to his advantage, ensuring that his presence in her life would grow even more influential.

As the weeks went by, Aaron's friendship with Arina deepened. He continued to gather information about her family, biding his time until the perfect moment to strike.

Unbeknownst to both Arina and Aaron, a storm was brewing elsewhere in Manhattan. Arina's father, a guardsman for the Whitemore family, had stumbled upon a dark secret that would change the course of their lives forever.

One evening, while patrolling the Whitemore estate, he noticed something unusual in one of the warehouses. Curiosity piqued, he discreetly investigated and discovered a shocking truth—the Whitemore company was deeply involved in smuggling and drug dealing.

The weight of the revelation hung heavy on his shoulders. He knew that exposing the Whitemore family's illicit activities would not only jeopardize his own life but also put Arina and her mother in grave danger.

As the chapter drew to a close, Arina's father stood at a crossroads. He had uncovered a truth that could bring down the mighty Whitemore family, but he also understood the perilous path that lay ahead.

To be Continued..

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