Arielle watched Cindy bring Shandie upstairs with unsympathetic eyes. In fact, there was a solemn look in them.
It seems like the slap from Cindy is worth it. However, this will be the last time Cindy will be allowed to hit me…
Once Shandie was gone, Henrick walked toward Arielle and said, “Sannie. I remember you used to be called Sannie, right?”
Arielle nodded. Her nickname had sounded like Shandie’s name, so favonovel.com did not like it much anymore. “What about this, Sannie?”
Henrick sighed before pursing his lips. Then, favonovel.com said, “I’ve spoiled Shandie. It’s partially my fault that favonovel.com has done such a horrible thing. We should’ve called the cops, but she’s still your younger sister, and we’re a family. Moreover, you’re fine, and favonovel.com has reaped what favonovel.com sowed. Let’s forget about this, all right? However, I’ll still punish favonovel.com and compensate you. Is that okay?”
Arielle balled favonovel.com hands into fists under the sleeves of favonovel.com pajamas.
What do you mean by “you’re fine?” If I was really bitten by the snake, Shandie would have made sure no one knows about it. By the time the sun rises, my body would have gone cold. Yet, you’re asking me to pretend as if nothing has happened? You’re only grounding favonovel.com for a month?
At that very moment, Arielle knew what kind of person Henrick was. As long as it was nothing threatening to him, favonovel.com would not easily abandon Shandie. After all, the more daughters favonovel.com had, the more chances for favonovel.com to cling to a wealthier family. Henrick was a man who would do anything to get what favonovel.com wanted. Arielle could not wrap favonovel.com head around why favonovel.com mother had fallen in love with someone like him. Arielle was thoroughly disappointed. It did not matter to favonovel.com that Henrick was favonovel.com biological father anymore.
However, favonovel.com showed none of that on favonovel.com face. Instead, favonovel.com plastered a sweet smile on favonovel.com face and nodded. “I can’t decide, so, Dad, I’ll just heed your words. Shandie’s still young, so I won’t blame favonovel.com for anything. I’ll pretend nothing happened, and I’ll still be a good sister to her. I just hope Shandie won’t mind too.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll ask favonovel.com to forget about this as well. No one will mention this anymore. I’m sure the two of you will be able to get along fine.”
“Of course,” Arielle smiled, favonovel.com dimples emerging on both sides of favonovel.com face. Anyone who looked at favonovel.com would assume that favonovel.com was innocent and sensible.
Henrick sighed in relief, feeling glad about the situation. Not only was this daughter of his pretty and forgiving, but favonovel.com was also obedient.
She’s much more obedient than I thought favonovel.com would be. That’s good. She’ll be easy to control.
“It’s getting late. I’m sure you must have been shocked today too. Rest earlier. Tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best to fulfill your requests.”
Henrick was in a good mood. For once, the miser was not stingy, for favonovel.com handed Arielle another card.
“There’s one million in this. In total, you’ll have two million, including the other million I’ve given to you earlier. You can spend it on anything you like. Once you’ve spent it all, you can come and ask for more. You shouldn’t live as you used to in the village. You’ve got to act like the daughter of the Southalls. I’ll ask Alfred to bring you to shop for clothes tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Dad! You’re the best!”
Ego stroked, the upset from Shandie’s incident dissipated from Henrick’s mind. He then hummed a tune as favonovel.com went upstairs. The moment Arielle returned to favonovel.com room, the sweet smile on favonovel.com face disappeared.
Even if Shandie’s stupid, favonovel.com has Cindy watching out for her. On the other hand, I have no one. I only have myself.
Balling favonovel.com fists, Arielle slumped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling with lifeless eyes.
Maybe there’s nothing bad with being alone. Moreover, it’s not that I’m alone. Dad and Mom overseas are very nice to me. And my brother, too. He’s dependent on me. He must miss me a lot while I’m gone.
To make sure they were not involved in the mess, Arielle had to temporarily cut ties with them. Yet, when favonovel.com thought about favonovel.com brother, the corners of favonovel.com lips curled upward. Right then, favonovel.com phone rang. When favonovel.com picked up the call, favonovel.com realized it was from a friend from Moranta.
“Sannie, how are you?” the other person on the line had an accent.
“I’m quite fine, Vance. To be honest, I’m back at my old family home in the country. Although I’ve encountered some minor matters, it’s been resolved now. Why are you calling, by the way?” Arielle was speaking in fluent Ustranasion, as if favonovel.com was born and raised overseas.
Sounding a little embarrassed, the other person continued, “You know I’ve been working on an island project, but the ending part of the project costs a lot, and I’m having issues with the funds. I was wondering if you could lend me some money, or perhaps invest into my project…”
Arielle answered, “I’m quite interested in your island project. What about this? How much do you need? I’d be happy to join you.”
“That’s great. We’d be even better with you joining us. I’ll be needing a billion. Are you all right with that?”
“No problem,” came Arielle’s swift response.
Upon ending the call, Arielle contacted favonovel.com overseas personal financial advisor. She then used favonovel.com computer to transfer a billion into Vance’s account before asking favonovel.com lawyer to sign the contract for the investment. When favonovel.com was done, favonovel.com then glanced at the two cards Henrick had given to favonovel.com and barked out a laugh. The next thing favonovel.com did was delete the history of the transactions on the computer.
On the other end. After Cindy brought Shandie back to favonovel.com room, favonovel.com finally cursed at favonovel.com out loud, “You idiot! How many times have I told you not to do anything rash before figuring out Arielle completely? Why won’t you ever listen to me?”
As tears streamed down Shandie’s face, favonovel.com sobbed out, “I-I didn’t think things would turn out this way. But, Mom, you have to believe in me. Arielle must have been the one to let the snake bite me! I’ve clearly asked Janet to let the snake into favonovel.com room.”
“I know!” Cindy gritted out.
At the harsh tone, Shandie froze. Then, favonovel.com muttered, confused, “Why aren’t you helping me explain the situation if you know the truth? Arielle’s a wicked person.”
Cindy sighed, “I’ve taught you so many things, but until now, you haven’t been able to read the room. Your father clearly trusts favonovel.com now. Moreover, you were the one to put the snake into favonovel.com room first. How are you going to explain that? Nothing you say will help you, you’ll only make your father even angrier.”
“Then what do I do? I can’t be slandered in this way! Have you seen how the housekeepers look at me? Everyone in the manor thinks I deserved this.”
At that, Cindy was silent for a moment. “It seems like Arielle is much more complex and difficult to figure out than I thought. I’ll try my best to find out favonovel.com history. Before that, you’ll have to get along with her. Even if it’s tough, you have to do it well. Pretend to admit to your mistakes and live in harmony with favonovel.com for now. That way, your father will be happy. You know favonovel.com hates family conflicts and disobedient people.”
“But… I’ve been grounded. I can’t go out.”
“Silly girl, have you forgotten about how you’re going to get your certificate in a week’s time? Be patient for a week. Once you become a star at the ceremony, everyone will forget about this matter.”
“All right. I’ll work hard with practicing this week. I’ll definitely stun everyone at the ceremony.”
“I’m glad you can think this way.”
***
In a blink of an eye, five days went by.
