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

glancing over at her.No man could resist Arielle’s puppy dog eyes, not

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

"Thanks, Dad."

I’m really sorry, Aunt Cindy.I’m sure

welled in Cindy’s

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

the time you need to adjust.After all, we’ve got the rest of our lives as a family for you to do

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

played out a harmonious pretense as if they were happily

exhaustion he felt from work faded away at the sight of this

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

Henrick thought so, Cindy parted her

have to tell you, dear.It’s

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 a month.So forget

threw a suspicious glance

of her to blurt

at gauging situations

best time to defend Shandie? What exactly is Cindy playing at?

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

lifted slightly

a

pulled out a sheet of

"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

brand ambassadorship contract with Soir Coffee—the

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

he noticed that Vinson would be an honorary guest, greed flitted

letter with trembling hands whilst his

didn’t you tell me

once, Cindy’s shoulders

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

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

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