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.

believed that she would have won the title of Most

her.No man could resist Arielle’s puppy dog eyes, not even her own

his throat and consoled, "That’s quite alright.Take it slow and go at your own pace.There’s no need

"Thanks, Dad."

an apologetic look whilst saying, "And I’m really sorry, Aunt Cindy.I’m

welled in

refuse to call me Mom! Even so, Cindy was better at tamping down her emotions compared to Shandie, so she feigned a kind

you.Don’t worry, dear, take all the time you need to adjust.After all, we’ve

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

out a harmonious pretense as if they were

spirits instantly improved; the exhaustion he felt from work faded away at the sight of this merry

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

Henrick thought so, Cindy parted her lips

I have to tell you,

of Shandie’s name ruined Henrick’s

spoon onto the table and thundered, "Let me guess, you’re trying to put in a good word for that brat? Considering how grave her actions were, I’ve been more than

threw a suspicious glance at the

her to blurt

at gauging situations

isn’t the best time to defend Shandie? What exactly is Cindy playing at? At that moment, Cindy’s face scrunched up

something else.I’m just

lifted

at a

dramatically, then pulled out a

today.Remember the Crown Coffee Academy’s competition? Well, Shannie

"What!" Henrick exclaimed.

obviously knew about

winner would obtain a brand ambassadorship contract with

snatched the letter from

Vinson would be an honorary guest, greed

trembling hands whilst his voice quaked

tell me earlier? The award ceremony is

Cindy’s shoulders slumped exaggeratedly

mistake that Shannie made.When I told her about the ceremony

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

lost her mind? When he finally broke out of his thoughts, he happened to meet Arielle’s