Chapter 16

Once Cindy left, Henrick‘s gaze darted over to Arielle. “Sannie. Tell me the truth, how did you meet Vins
on? Are you two close?”

Henrick wanted to ask this long ago. However, he worried that Arielle would think he was using her as a
stepping stone. Hence, he refrained from asking up till now.

At this rate, it seems like she‘s too naive to question my motives.

I may as well cut to the chase and ask whatever / want to know. This silly girl will tell me anyway.

As expected, Arielle answered him without a sliver of hesitation. “I don‘t actually know him that well. I e
ncountered him by chance when my ship sank at
sea. He was injured at the time, so I treated his wounds with whatever herbs | could find. It was later w
hen his subordinates came for him that I got rescued and brought back here.”

What he didn‘t know was
that Arielle had summarized the story. She omitted the details where they undressed and huddled up fo
r warmth, as well as the truth that she saved Vinson‘s life.

Hearing her story, Henrick felt both disappointed yet pleased.

He was disappointed because he had hoped for some emotional entanglement between Arielle

and Vinson, but there were none.

At the same time, he was buzzing with joy that Arielle had aided the Vinson Nightshire. Because it mea
nt Vinson owed Arielle‘s family a favor for her kindness.



Imagine that. A favor from the Nightshires!That experience alone is worth its weight in gold!

“Wonderful! That‘s great, Sannie! As expected of my daughter!” Henrick chortled.

He stared endearingly at her as if he was looking at the world‘s rarest gem.

Arielle put on an innocent and unknowing expression. She flashed a quick
appreciative smile at this compliment, then resumed with her dinner.

The next day had arrived at the speed of light. All four of them departed Jadeborough and headed towa
rds Norham.

For the journey, Arielle and Shandie sat beside one another in the backseat.

Shandie wore the Crown Coffee Academy‘s yellow team uniform. A soft and glamorous makeup was ap
plied on her face, befitting her

aristocratic status.

In comparison, Cindy had prepared minimalistic clothing for Arielle. She also hadn‘t hired

anyone to do Arielle‘s makeup. Thus, Arielle was completely bare–
faced and had her hair up in a simple bun; she looked like an ordinary high school student.

Even without any form of embellishment, Arielle was irresistible to the eye. Her presence glowed with a
ngelic purity, almost like a blooming orchid whose beauty was so rare that people could only appreciate
from afar.

She was the definition of true beauty. Not the kind that was sought after by many men, but a true beaut
y that made men reflect on whether they were worthy of being by her side.



Shandie initially felt like the brightest star in
the sky, knowing that her makeup was worth six figures. Yet, that confidence plummeted after seeing Ar
ielle‘s simplistic beauty. Shandie now felt like a miserable side character while Arielle was the lead of th
e show.

Outshined, Shandie clenched her fists so hard that her claw–like nails nearly cut into her palms.

Ahem! Cindy cleared her throat from the front passenger seat.

At this, Shandie broke from her daze and refocused on the present.

So what if Arielle is pretty? She‘s nothing but a pretty face that men keep around like toys. I‘m

the real deal with both the body and looks, the kind of woman that men want to make their wives.

Shandie suppressed her anger. She cracked a stiff smile and said, “Arielle, I haven‘t had the chance to
apologize. So now that we‘re both here, I just wanted
to say I‘m sorry. I shouldn‘t have thrown that childish tantrum and put you in jeopardy. Please forgive m
e.”

Arielle knew that Cindy must have scripted this whole apology, and Shandie was merely acting accordi
ngly.

Childish tantrum?

Humph. What kind of child harbors murderous intentions during a tantrum?

Regardless, Arielle cast a gentle gaze as she held Shandie‘s hand. Then she soothed in a honeyed voi
ce, “It‘s alright, Shandie. There’s no need to dwell on the past or apologize anymore. We‘re family, after
all.”



Caught in
Arielle‘s tight grip, Shandie bit down her repulse. She desperately wanted to fling Arielle‘s vermin–
like hand away but couldn‘t.

Hence, she resisted and continued to smile stiffly

Meanwhile, Henrick smiled contentedly at his

daughters‘ reconciliation from the driver‘s seat.



They went on their merry way to the airport. When they arrived, Henrick led his family through the chec
k–in process and to the departure halls. Arielle trailed behind them throughout this

According to the regulations, first–
class passengers were given priority to board the plane before others.

So the Southalls had to wait in line as Henrick had bought economy–
class tickets for the flight from Jadeborough to Norham.

When it was finally their turn to board the flight, Henrick suddenly halted and looked in the other directio
n. He exclaimed, “Mr. Nightshire?”

Shandie hadn‘t expected to see Vinson at the airport either. Now that it had happened, Shandie batted
her lashes and cleared her throat shyly to attract Vinson‘s attention.

Vinson‘s assistant was reporting the progress of their recent project. Now that Henrick had rudely interr
upted, Vinson shot a glare in Henrick‘s direction.



Seeing how
Henrick and Shandie threw themselves at him, Vinson‘s glare turned murderously cold yet confused at
the same time. He growled, “Do I know you?”

Henrick brushed his nose awkwardly at this. He was startled that Vinson didn‘t recognize him.

Shandie, on the other hand, clenched her jaw in irritation.

We‘ve already met plenty of times. How can Vinson not know who I am?ls he really that forgetful?

In reality, Vinson had an excellent memory. He was simply selective about whom and what he felt was
worthy of remembering.

Thus, he wouldn‘t waste even a drop of his time or mental effort on people whom he deemed unimport
ant

As for Arielle, she had noticed Vinson as well but didn‘t intend to greet him.

We‘re just passing by. There‘s no need to engage in pointless conversation.

Henrick frowned at how Arielle was letting this golden opportunity slip. Nevertheless, he quickly introduc
party a few days ago.”

Vinson tried to recall. However, he had attended four
birthday parties this week, so he couldn‘t quite figure out who this man named Henrick was.

Sensing the confusion on Vinson‘s face, Henrick briskly shoved Shandie aside while

yanking Arielle forward. He then reminded, “Seems like you have forgotten about me, Mr. Nightshire. Bu



Arielle was now visible to Vinson. He hadn‘t seen her earlier, no thanks to Cindy, who questionably stood
of Arielle and blocked her

Vinson‘s eyes roamed over Arielle‘s appearance. Unlike the other three, who wore fancier
clothing, Arielle seemed like a regular student. It was as if they were from different class groups.

Vinson raised a brow, curious to see Arielle‘s reactions. He feigned confusion as he asked, “Apologies, I
very good with remembering faces. May I ask who you are, miss?”

Arielle blinked. Did he forget who I am?

Despite her initial shock, Arielle wasn‘t at all sad that he didn‘t recall her.

She responded placidly, “That‘s normal. You must see too many faces every day to remember mine. We

Now that she had excused their family, Henrick couldn‘t prolong the conversation with Vinson. Without a
choice, Henrick begrudgingly complied with Arielle‘s request.

What rubbish was that?
How can my eldest daughter be so inept at seducing men? How stupid can she be?

Henrick grew more frustrated at the thought of this. It was evident in the way he quickly stormed over to

Cindy and Shandie were pleased with how things turned out. They stood straighter with delight as they
watched Henrick leave.

What perfect timing for Arielle to ruin things. I doubt Henrick will continue to spoil her rotten after this

Thinking this, Cindy paced in Henrick‘s direction

Shandie and Arielle quickly followed suit. At that moment, Shandie‘s mood soared sky–
high. It wasn‘t long before a mischievous thought flitted through her mind.



Walking alongside Arielle, Shandie mocked in a quiet voice, “Oh dear. I assumed that something specia
and Mr. Nightshire, but I guess not. I can‘t believe that he didn‘t even recognize you. Well, don‘t be sad.

Shandie made sure to emphasize the words: country bumpkin. She stared excitedly at Arielle, hoping to

anger.

Nothing would please her more than to see Arielle red–faced with helpless frustration.


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