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.

she would have won the title of

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

go at your own pace.There’s no need to rush into calling

"Thanks, Dad."

really sorry,

welled in

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

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

"Thanks, Aunt Cindy."

"It’s nothing, child."

a harmonious pretense as if

he felt from work faded away at

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

thought so, Cindy parted

I have to tell you, dear.It’s

of Shandie’s name ruined

that brat? Considering how grave her actions were, I’ve

threw a suspicious

her to

normally good at

knows that this isn’t the best time to defend Shandie? What exactly is Cindy playing at? At that

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

lifted slightly at

at a dangerously low

a sheet of paper

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 internationally renowned

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

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

the letter with trembling hands whilst his voice quaked

didn’t you tell me earlier? The award ceremony is tomorrow

Cindy’s shoulders slumped

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

"That’s absurd!" Henrick protested.

not go? Has she lost her mind? When he finally broke out of his

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