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.

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

enough, Henrick’s features softened after glancing over at her.No man could resist

and go at your own pace.There’s no need

"Thanks, Dad."

"And I’m really sorry, Aunt Cindy.I’m sure I’ll eventually

welled in Cindy’s

wretched brat! How dare she refuse to call me Mom! Even so, Cindy was better at tamping

understand that this must be 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 of our lives as a family for you to

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

two played out a harmonious pretense as if

spirits instantly improved; the exhaustion he felt from work faded away at

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

Henrick thought so, Cindy

I have to tell you, dear.It’s about

mention of Shandie’s name ruined Henrick’s

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

suspicious glance

uncharacteristic of her

normally good at gauging

What exactly is Cindy playing at? At

pleading on behalf of her, dear.It’s about something else.I’m just

lifted slightly

a dangerously low

dramatically, then pulled out a sheet

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

"What!" Henrick exclaimed.

obviously knew

obtain a brand ambassadorship contract with Soir Coffee—the

snatched the letter from Cindy and

he noticed that Vinson would be an

hands whilst his voice quaked with

me earlier?

Cindy’s shoulders slumped exaggeratedly

"It’s because of that rash mistake that Shannie made.When I told her about the ceremony earlier today, she

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

lost her mind? When he finally broke out of his thoughts, he