Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 717

Ariana was momentarily taken aback by her youngest son's unexpected question.

Kevin quickly interjected, "What my brother means is that he's worried about our sister's well-being here. He wants her to return to the main house so she can be properly cared for."

Carson frowned at his brother's words, displeasure flickering across his face. He wanted to argue—that wasn't what he meant at all—but a sharp glance from Kevin silenced him. Their unspoken connection allowed him to sense his brother's underlying irritation. Though frustrated, Carson bit back his protest and reluctantly acquiesced.

Ariana studied her two sons with narrowed eyes, suspicion creeping into her gaze. Her expression grew calculating, a hint of cold sharpness lurking beneath the surface.

Yet she said nothing of her misgivings in front of them. Instead, she turned to Carson with a composed smile. "There's no need to worry. Your sister is perfectly fine here. Now, why don't you and your brother go upstairs to see her? Stop causing trouble for your father and me."

A mother's intuition, however, was not so easily fooled. She hadn't missed the odd shift in her youngest son's demeanor earlier.

And those words...

They didn't sound like something he would say at all.

Which meant there was likely more to this than met the eye.

The realization almost made Ariana laugh. It seemed her absence had emboldened someone to stir the pot behind her back.

Kevin exhaled in quiet relief.

Still, the tension in the air lingered, thick and uneasy.

Taking his brother's hand, he gently steered him toward the stairs. Carson hesitated, casting one last glance at their mother before trudging upward. With each step, his small mouth twisted further into a pout. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Sheryl had promised—if Mother truly loved him, she'd agree to anything he asked.

Including this.

Over the past couple of days, Carson had grown much fonder of Ariana. He was certain his mother would agree to his request.

If she refused, then just as Sister Sheryl had said, it would mean she didn’t truly care for him.

So when his older brother interrupted him, Carson was thoroughly displeased. Pouting, he turned his face away, refusing to even glance at his brother.

Kevin and Carson had always shared an unspoken understanding.

Moreover, he knew his little brother well—one look was enough to decipher his thoughts. Pressing his lips together, Kevin said, "Are you really throwing a tantrum now? You shouldn’t have spoken like that earlier. Why would you suggest sending our sister away? If Mom finds out you don’t like her, she’ll be upset." More importantly, it would surely make her view Carson in a worse light.

It was bad enough if she disliked Carson, but what if the fallout extended to him?

He had no desire to return to the Stone family estate.

There, their great-grandmother clearly favored their eldest brother and third brother. Kevin preferred staying here—at least in their mother’s eyes, he mattered. Having grown up often overlooked, he had developed a keen sensitivity, instinctively knowing how to secure his own advantage. While his younger brother might think their mother played favorites, Kevin believed she treated them all equally.

Unlike their father, whose disdain for him and Carson was unmistakable.

Right now, their mother was the only anchor he had. He couldn’t let Carson ruin his standing in her heart.

Seeing his brother’s stern expression, Carson only grew more defiant. "I meant what I said! If Mom really loves me, she’ll send our sister away. That’s what Sister Sheryl told me!"

Kevin blinked. "Sister Sheryl?"

Without another word, she turned and headed toward the kitchen, leaving the butler standing there, his expression uneasy. He had heard whispers about Sheryl’s behavior. Though he’d wanted to reprimand her for her delusions, he knew Sir Lambert had no interest in her, so he’d kept quiet. Besides, she was his cousin’s daughter—he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

But now…

A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes. He feared the Young Madam might have caught wind of something. It seemed he’d have to find a chance to speak with Sheryl privately. He couldn’t afford to let her recklessness jeopardize his position as the household’s butler.

…

When Ariana returned to the kitchen, Lambert was meticulously washing vegetables.

The warm amber glow of the lights fell upon him, casting an almost mesmerizing outline around his figure. His eyes, in particular, were striking—handsome enough to rival any movie star.

Lambert turned his head just in time to catch Ariana leaning against the doorway, staring at him without blinking.

The corner of his lips curled into a smirk. "What? Stunned by my charm?"

Ariana wanted to glare at him, but she couldn’t help laughing first. She stepped inside, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "I was just thinking, if you ever joined the entertainment industry, you’d do pretty well for yourself."

Lambert scoffed. "Obviously."

His shamelessness made her expression twitch.

Clearing her throat, she glanced at the vegetables in his hands and moved to help. A soft, affectionate gleam flickered in Lambert’s eyes as he watched her. "So," he asked, "is Gracie alright?" Earlier, Ariana had excused herself, telling him she wanted to check on their daughter. Given the girl’s special condition, Lambert hadn’t questioned it.