A Beauty With Multiple Masks

Neither Shandie nor Cindy did anything.

Likewise, Cindy no longer begged Henrick to shorten Shandie’s punishment.

Cindy even took increasingly good care of Arielle, which Henrick approved.

That incident with the venomous snake was explicitly banned.No one was allowed to utter a single word about it.

Hence, the manor’s inhabitants resumed their following days as if nothing happened.

Likewise, Henrick returned to his and Cindy’s bedroom after five days of sleeping in the study.

By the sixth day, Henrick headed out with a bounce in his step; even Cindy had a glowing and cheery expression.

It wasn’t hard to guess what happened the night before.

Things became so amiable that Cindy offered an entire drumstick to Arielle during dinnertime.At this, a delighted smile crept onto Arielle’s face.

She responded in a sweet tone, "Thank you, Aunt Cindy."

"Call me Mom from now on."

Cindy beamed back as she continued, "I’ll look after you as my own child.Just like Shannie.She’s not my biological daughter, but I’ve always cared for her like she is.So, don’t hesitate to ask me if you ever need anything."

Arielle scoffed inwardly.

Not your biological daughter? I don’t believe it one bit.

Shandie is only a couple of months younger than me, which means that Henrick had an affair with Cindy during my mother’s pregnancy.

Henrick obviously won’t allow this scandal to leak.

Cindy must be up to something.Why else would she suddenly suggest that I call her "Mom"? 

Still, she’s got some nerve asking me to call her that.I only have two mothers: my biological mom and my adoptive mother.No one else is worthy of that title.

Skeptical, Arielle looked at Henrick for help.

"Dad.I-it’s too soon.I’m not used to calling her that…"

She flashed a pair of puppy-dog eyes at him.Her eyes rounded and became slightly moist as she put on a pitiful act.

Arielle believed that she would have won the title of Most

over at her.No man could resist Arielle’s puppy dog eyes,

slow and go at your own pace.There’s no need to

"Thanks, Dad."

then cast an apologetic look whilst saying, "And I’m really

welled in Cindy’s

she refuse to call me Mom! Even so, Cindy was better at

that this must be difficult for you.Please don’t apologize.I should be sorry for pressuring you.Don’t worry, dear, take all the time you need to adjust.After all, we’ve got the rest of our lives as a family for you

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

if they

he felt from work faded away at the

family in harmony will prosper in everything; I’m content as long as they don’t pull any more stunts

thought so, Cindy parted her lips to

have to tell

mention of Shandie’s name ruined Henrick’s

a good word for that brat? Considering how grave her

threw a suspicious glance

uncharacteristic of her

normally good at gauging

Shandie? What exactly is Cindy playing at? At that

not pleading on behalf of her, dear.It’s about something else.I’m just not

lifted slightly at

he still growled at a dangerously low

then pulled out a sheet

"I just received a notice letter today.Remember the Crown Coffee Academy’s competition? Well, Shannie won it.She’s the

"What!" Henrick exclaimed.

obviously knew about the

would obtain a brand ambassadorship contract with Soir Coffee—the internationally renowned coffee

from Cindy

that Vinson would be an honorary guest, greed

the letter with trembling hands whilst his

you tell me earlier? The award ceremony is tomorrow

shoulders slumped exaggeratedly in

her about the ceremony earlier today, she wasn’t keen on attending.She wanted to stay home and

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

influential figures! How can she not go? Has she lost her mind? When he finally broke out of