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

after glancing over at her.No man could resist Arielle’s

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

"Thanks, Dad."

apologetic look whilst saying, "And I’m really sorry, Aunt Cindy.I’m sure I’ll eventually ease into your

welled in

brat! How dare she refuse to call me Mom! Even so, Cindy was better at tamping down her emotions compared to Shandie, so

for pressuring you.Don’t worry, dear, take all the time you need

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

out a harmonious pretense as if they were happily getting along at

work faded away

in everything; I’m content as long as they don’t pull any more stunts against

so, Cindy parted her lips to

something I have to

of Shandie’s

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 merciful by grounding her for only a month.So forget it!

a suspicious glance at

her

normally good at gauging situations

this isn’t the best time to defend Shandie? What exactly is Cindy

her, dear.It’s about something else.I’m just not sure if I

lifted slightly at

at a dangerously low pitch, "What’s the

out a sheet

stated, "I just received a notice letter today.Remember the

"What!" Henrick exclaimed.

knew about

contract with Soir Coffee—the

from Cindy and went through

would be an honorary guest, greed flitted

the letter with trembling hands

news.Well, why didn’t you tell me earlier? The

once, Cindy’s shoulders slumped exaggeratedly in

Shannie made.When I told her about the ceremony earlier today, she wasn’t keen on attending.She wanted

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

mingle with influential figures! How can she not go? Has she lost her mind? When he finally broke out of his thoughts, he happened