Chapter 6 " Who told you to step forward and block it ? Don't you realize you're pregnant ? " Mandy nestled into Eric's embrace , her eyes beginning to redden . " Ms. Harlan is dear to you . It would break your heart if anything happened to her . I just didn't want to see you upset . " Eric's expression softened abruptly . A flash of emotion appeared in his eyes as he spoke with intensity , " Must you keep pushing yourself to the brink to feel content? " In response , Eric kissed her passionately . Ariana , feeling emotionally drained , quietly stepped back and walked . away . Eric didn't return to the room that night . The following morning , Eric entered the room and stared at Ariana , disappointment written all over his face . " I looked into it . The chandelier didn't just drop by itself . Someone intentionally loosened the screws . " Ariana stared back in shock . " You think it was me ? " Since Mandy got pregnant , first there was that allergy incident , and now the chandelier . " Chapter 6 Eric sighed . " I explained already , after Mandy has the baby , I'll make sure she leaves . She's been incredibly modest , trying to win your favor , and even protected . you from the falling chandelier . Why can't you just put up with her ? " Though it was the coldest day of winter , Ariana felt an even deeper chill in her bones . Eric didn't believe her . Eric started giving Ariana the silent treatment . Mandy stood humbly before Ariana , her eyes swollen and red . " Ms. Harlan , please stop targeting me . Mr. Gibson is deeply in love with you . I promise to leave once I have the baby . " Eric stood nearby , maintaining a calm demeanor , though his eyes betrayed a storm of emotions . Ariana was aware of Eric's indecision . She was also aware of Mandy's ambitions , Ever since everyone else referred to her as Mrs. Gibson while Mandy stuck with calling her Ms. Harlan , she had realized that Mandy was far more complex than she seemed . But Ariana didn't care anymore . In just three days , she planned to leave entirely with Oliver . Yet , the day before she was set to leave , Mandy vanished . Eric searched frantically throughout New York for Mandy , but she was nowhere to be found . In a fit of rage , he shattered his phone . The people around him were terrified by his outburst . Then . Eric turned and encountered Ariana's serene gaze . He looked at her , stunned and incredulous . Doubt , disappointment , and anxiety were written all over his face . " Sweetheart , tell me , where is Mandy ? " Ariana shook her head . " I don't know . " She really didn't know . Eric held back his frustration . " Behave yourself , now isn't the time for games . Mandy is still expecting . " " I really don't know . " This wasn't the first instance he'd questioned her because of Mandy , but Ariana's heart still felt wounded and sore . Someone handed over Mandy's phone from before she disappeared . The last call was to Ariana . Eric massaged his forehead , feeling the pounding in his temples . " Ariana , the proof is right before us . Are you still denying it ? Where could Mandy possibly be ? " Ariana chuckled icily . 11440 Chapter & " You think I arranged for Mandy to be kidnapped just because of a single phone call ? " She remembered the call Mandy had made to her before vanishing . " I faked the allergy myself . " I even messed with the chandelier . I knew it wouldn't actually hit me - I just made sure to fall on you . " A man's heartache and guilt are the most enduring expressions of love . I plan to make Eric feel a bit more tender , a bit more remorseful , gradually compensating me until I completely take your place . " Mandy's ambitious intentions were unmistakable in her voice during the call .