A Beauty with Multiple Masks novel Chapter 19

Immediately, Arielle prepared to lash out. However, her movements came to a screeching halt when she caught sight of the man’s face.

“Mr. Nightshire? Y-you…” She stared at him and blinked in utter disbelief.

Vinson interjected before Arielle could finish speaking. “Why did you pretend not to recognize me?”

Arielle looked at Vinson with a gaze full of puzzlement. On the other hand, Vinson’s stare resembled the look of a ferocious and enraged lion.

 

Is he angry because I didn’t greet him when I walked past him earlier? Doesn’t that mean he recognized me? Then why did he act like we were strangers in the airport? He even ignored me when we were on the plane!

 

“You were the one who ignored me first! Besides, how would I dare disturb such a busy man like you?” Arielle replied in bafflement.

What on earth is he thinking? He clearly recognized me. Yet, he pretended like he didn’t. He should have continued the act. Why is he cornering and berating me for doing the same thing?

 

Arielle tried to push Vinson away to put some distance between them. “No matter what… you should let me go first. People will misunderstand if they see us like this.”

Arielle’s words seemed to go in one ear and out the other. Vinson’s gaze remained fixated intently on hers.

 

He found that her bright eyes were like pools of clear water. At the same time, her gaze was as deep as the bottomless ocean.

There wasn’t a trace of fear nor flattery present in her brilliant gaze. The only thing Vinson saw was suspicion. She treated him like he was an ordinary person.

An ordinary person… How long has it been since someone treated me this way?

“Are you angry because I couldn’t recognize you at the airport?”

“I did not get angry,” Arielle said and jutted out her bottom lip. Why would I get mad?

Vinson fell silent after he heard her answer.

He could not express the complicated feelings within his heart.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Vinson released her from his grasps and stepped back all of a sudden. “Why did you come to Norham? Are you following me because I haven’t given you an answer?”

“Following you? I’m not as free as you think; I certainly don’t have the time to be following you. Besides, what answer do I need from you?” Arielle replied with a confused look.

All of a sudden, she recalled the last words Vinson had said during the birthday dinner.

Her eyes widened as round as saucers as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Are you still thinking about the joke I made the other day?”

“As I said, the truth is hidden within your joke. You don’t have to worry; I’m still thinking about it.”

“Haha!” Arielle burst out in laughter as she tilted her head. “I wish I could peer inside that head of yours to find out if your brain is made out of cotton!”

“That is something I should say to you instead,” Vinson replied impassively.

“What on earth are you talking about…” Right at that moment, Arielle’s phone began to ring.

The moment she answered the call, Henrick’s voice echoed through the phone. “Arielle, where did you go? Why did you keep your sister waiting for so long?”

Waiting? I haven’t even seen Shandie’s shadow.

Immediately, Arielle acted as if she had been wronged. “This was the first time I took the plane… I must admit that I was totally clueless. Dad, I’m sorry. Where are you? I’ll try to look for you.” Arielle murmured softly.

“Look for the airport staff. We are at the information desk.”

“Alright, I’ll head over right now!” The moment Arielle ended the call, her image of a

prim and proper woman vanished into thin air.

“My Dad is looking for me. I’ll take my leave first. Also, let me repeat myself. I was joking the other day! You can forget about it!” Arielle called out as she waved her phone in Vinson’s direction.

With that, Arielle turned on her heel to leave.

She only managed to take two steps before Vinson’s suspicious tone echoed behind her. “What is your relationship with your family?”.

His question left her confused. “We are just family.” Arielle whirled around to face him again.