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.

award show, Arielle believed that she would have won the title of

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

alright.Take it slow and go at your own

"Thanks, Dad."

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

in Cindy’s

was better at tamping down her emotions compared to Shandie, so she feigned a kind

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

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

out a harmonious pretense as if they were happily

work faded away at the sight of this

the saying goes, a family in harmony will prosper in everything; I’m

as Henrick thought so, Cindy parted her

I have to tell you, dear.It’s about

mention of Shandie’s

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

threw a suspicious glance at

of her

good at gauging

Shandie? What exactly is Cindy playing at? At

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

lifted

growled at a dangerously low pitch, "What’s the

out a sheet

the Crown Coffee Academy’s competition? Well, Shannie won it.She’s the

"What!" Henrick exclaimed.

obviously knew

a brand ambassadorship contract with

overjoyed.He snatched the letter from Cindy and went through its contents

Vinson would be an

the letter with trembling hands whilst his voice quaked

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

shoulders slumped

of that rash mistake that Shannie made.When I told her about the ceremony earlier today, she wasn’t keen on attending.She wanted to stay home and

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

with influential figures! How can she not go? Has she lost her mind? When he finally broke out of his thoughts, he happened to meet Arielle’s innocent