Transmigrated: Stealing the CEO husband-Chapter 20: Frusrated President

It was then that Gerald reacted — his hand shot out, fingers curling tightly around Ariel's wrist. With a swift, practiced motion, he twisted her arm behind her waist and pushed her down onto the bed.

The cold press of the sheets against her back barely registered — all Ariel could feel was the tight, unrelenting grip pinning her in place. Her heart slammed against her ribs, her breath catching in her throat.

This wasn't Luiss — the man who masked his dominance with charm.

This was Gerald, the villain — ruthless, volatile, and impossible to predict.

"President Gerald..."

"Poor little secretary Ariel," Gerald drawled, his lips curling into a sharp, predatory smile. "You couldn't have expected this."

Ariel inhaled slowly, forcing her pulse to steady. "No," she said evenly. "In fact, I did."

Gerald's smile faltered. "What?"

"I'd be a fool not to." Her voice was steady — calm — but her muscles tensed beneath his grasp. "A man as sharp as you... surely you know your own reputation."

Gerald's grin thinned. "That's not quite an answer. In fact... that's an insult."

"You picked it up so easily," Ariel shot back. "See? I was right. You are smart."

His fingers flexed around her wrist, tightening just enough to remind her who was in control.

"Woman," he warned darkly, "stop playing mind games with me."

"I'm just answering your questions." Ariel's eyes met his directly — steady and unflinching. "Would you prefer I be blunt? Fine. You have a terrible reputation... deliberate or not. But I know you're aware of it — because you're smart enough to be."

For a moment, Gerald didn't speak. His expression hardened, eyes narrowing with something unreadable — frustration? Amusement?

Finally, his grip slackened — just a little — as if testing her reaction.

Ariel didn't move.

He loosened his grip further.

Still no response.

More.

Nothing.

Annoyed, Gerald released her altogether and stepped back, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.

"You're just gonna lay there like a dead fish?" he snapped. "For fuck's sake, I didn't even do anything."

"President Gerald was the one who put me in that position," Ariel said flatly. "How could I dare to show disobedience by moving without his permission?"

Gerald stared at her, stunned into silence.

What the hell is this?

He'd expected tears. Fear. Maybe even defiance. Instead, he got... this?

"Just get up already," Gerald muttered, irritation bleeding into his voice.

"As President Gerald commands." Ariel pushed herself upright and sat calmly on the bed, face impassive.

"I assume," Gerald started, "you already know the reason you're here."

"I have no idea."

"Fine," Gerald barked, pacing the room. "First — where and how did you find out about the stock fall? I've checked every possible leak — there's no crack in my network."

"Why look far for the crack," Ariel said coolly, "when it thrives by your side?"

Gerald's head snapped toward her. "Rosaline?"

Ariel remained silent — but her eyes said enough.

"You think I'll turn against my own people?" Gerald scoffed. "I've known her for years—"

"Yet she still failed to seduce Luiss when the opportunity was handed to her on a silver platter."

His jaw was clenched. "You have every reason to lie."

"But no means to access your information," Ariel countered. "Even you know that." Her gaze sharpened. "The only logical crack is Rosaline... and you've suspected her already. Haven't you?"

Owing to your paranoid nature.Some words were better left unsaid.

"Hence," Ariel continued, "you're here. I'm here. Sitting on this bed by President Gerald's command. And here we are, having this conversation."

"Alright, shut up," Gerald snapped. His fingers twitched as if itching to grab her again. "In the art of running your mouth, no one can outsmart you."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Ariel said with a faint smile.

"What excuse do you have for that?" Gerald demanded.

"That?" Ariel raised an eyebrow.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Gerald said, his tone dangerously low.

"I swear, President Gerald," Ariel said innocently, "I haven't the slightest idea."

In a flash, Gerald closed the distance between them. His hand shot out, grabbing her face roughly. His fingers dug into her jaw as he forced her to meet his gaze.

"Don't test me, Ms. Grey," he growled. His voice was low and sharp, like a blade against her skin. "I've shown you mercy so far... but that's not who I am."

"Of course I know that," Ariel murmured. Her voice was calm, yet her gaze was piercing. "You're never merciful to those who disobey you."

His grip faltered — not enough to release her, but enough for her to feel the shift.

"Logically speaking," Ariel continued, "I should be blindfolded right now — tied to an electric chair while you circled me, interrogating me. That's your style, isn't it?" She tilted her head. "Which makes me wonder... why didn't you?"

Gerald's grip slackened further.

"You're pushing your luck," he muttered.

"Could it be..." Ariel trailed off, her gaze sharpening with feigned curiosity.

"Could it be what now?" Gerald barked.

"...that you fancy me, President Gerald?"

For a brief second, the air crackled with tension. Ariel's face was calm — wide, innocent eyes locked on his.

Gerald's scowl deepened, but something flickered behind his gaze — confusion, frustration... maybe something else.

"I'd sooner strangle you," Gerald muttered.

"And yet," Ariel smiled faintly, "here I sit... untouched."

For a moment, they stared at each other — a dangerous stillness hanging in the air like the calm before a storm.

Gerald's fingers finally uncurled from her face. "Don't push me," he warned. "You won't like what happens next."

"I'll take my chances," Ariel murmured.

Gerald turned away abruptly, frustration radiating off him in waves.

He didn't know what infuriated him more — her sharp tongue or the way she always seemed one step ahead