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 wp4webnovel.com did not like it much anymore. “What about this, Sannie?”
Henrick sighed before pursing his lips. Then, wp4webnovel.com said, “I’ve spoiled Shandie. It’s partially my fault that wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com has reaped what wp4webnovel.com sowed. Let’s forget about this, all right? However, I’ll still punish wp4webnovel.com and compensate you. Is that okay?”
Arielle balled wp4webnovel.com hands into fists under the sleeves of wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.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, wp4webnovel.com would not easily abandon Shandie. After all, the more daughters wp4webnovel.com had, the more chances for wp4webnovel.com to cling to a wealthier family. Henrick was a man who would do anything to get what wp4webnovel.com wanted. Arielle could not wrap wp4webnovel.com head around why wp4webnovel.com mother had fallen in love with someone like him. Arielle was thoroughly disappointed. It did not matter to wp4webnovel.com that Henrick was wp4webnovel.com biological father anymore.
However, wp4webnovel.com showed none of that on wp4webnovel.com face. Instead, wp4webnovel.com plastered a sweet smile on wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.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, wp4webnovel.com dimples emerging on both sides of wp4webnovel.com face. Anyone who looked at wp4webnovel.com would assume that wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com was also obedient.
She’s much more obedient than I thought wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com went upstairs. The moment Arielle returned to wp4webnovel.com room, the sweet smile on wp4webnovel.com face disappeared.
Even if Shandie’s stupid, wp4webnovel.com has Cindy watching out for her. On the other hand, I have no one. I only have myself.
Balling wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com thought about wp4webnovel.com brother, the corners of wp4webnovel.com lips curled upward. Right then, wp4webnovel.com phone rang. When wp4webnovel.com picked up the call, wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com overseas personal financial advisor. She then used wp4webnovel.com computer to transfer a billion into Vance’s account before asking wp4webnovel.com lawyer to sign the contract for the investment. When wp4webnovel.com was done, wp4webnovel.com then glanced at the two cards Henrick had given to wp4webnovel.com and barked out a laugh. The next thing wp4webnovel.com did was delete the history of the transactions on the computer.
On the other end. After Cindy brought Shandie back to wp4webnovel.com room, wp4webnovel.com finally cursed at wp4webnovel.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, wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com room.”
“I know!” Cindy gritted out.
At the harsh tone, Shandie froze. Then, wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com now. Moreover, you were the one to put the snake into wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.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 wp4webnovel.com for now. That way, your father will be happy. You know wp4webnovel.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.