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

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

consoled, "That’s quite alright.Take it slow and go at

"Thanks, Dad."

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

welled in Cindy’s

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

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

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

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

exhaustion he felt from work faded away at the sight

a family in harmony will prosper in everything; I’m content as

thought so, Cindy parted

to tell

of Shandie’s

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

threw a suspicious

her to

normally good at gauging situations before

she knows that this isn’t the best time to defend Shandie? What exactly

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

frown lifted

at a dangerously

out a sheet of paper from her

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

"What!" Henrick exclaimed.

knew about the

a brand ambassadorship contract with Soir Coffee—the internationally renowned

was overjoyed.He snatched the letter from Cindy and went

be an honorary guest, greed flitted

with trembling hands whilst his voice quaked

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

once, Cindy’s shoulders slumped exaggeratedly in

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

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

a once-in-a-lifetime chance to mingle with influential figures! How can she not go? Has she lost