rue Heiress Return to Her Unemployed Rich Family novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120 Investment for One

“Not everything can be excused by calling it ‘blunt‘ or ‘straightforward,” Ethan said coolly.

Even with Naomi trying to defend her, Ethan didn’t go easy on either of them.

“And you shouldn’t just take her out shopping all the time. Try helping her work on her social graces once in a while,” Ethan added, shooting a disapproving look their way.

Naomi nodded awkwardly. “Right. I’ll have a word with her later.”

Then she threw an irritated glance back at Ruby–this was all her fault for running her mouth and getting both of them called out.

Since Ethan had already reprimanded them on her behalf, Arabella didn’t feel the need to add anything.

The gift from Florence was her own business, and its worth went far beyond any price tag.

“Ethan, I’ll be right back. I’m going to see where Mom is,” Arabella said, standing up to look for Florence.

She really wasn’t in the mood to make polite conversation with them in the living room any longer.

“Arabella, you’re back–oh, Ethan’s here too,” Florence said, coming down the stairs to check if her daughter had returned.

“Mom, I was just coming to find you,” Arabella replied, walking over to Florence and putting some distance between herself and Ruby.

Florence had originally wanted to ask about her and Matthew, but after catching sight of Naomi from the corner of her eye, she held back.

“Arabella, I picked up a few things for you today. I’ve already put them in your room,” Florence said, looking at her daughter with affection.

Arabella paused for a moment. “Mom, you’ve already given me so much. You really don’t need to keep buying me gifts.”

The truth was, she didn’t need that many possessions, and she’d never been one to chase after luxury brands.

“That’s hardly anything–it’s nowhere near enough,” Florence said with a warm smile.

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“Today I saw some outfits that would look lovely on you. Now that you’ll be spending more time at the hospital, you should have some nice things to wear.”

What she really meant was that Arabella would be seeing Matthew regularly, and she hoped her daughter would make a good impression.

“What I wear to the hospital isn’t really important,” Arabella said, picking up on her mother’s hint.

“It is important. Now, just listen to me on this,” Florence insisted.

Watching Florence dote on Arabella, Ruby felt a sharp pang of jealousy.

She was supposed to be helping Naomi edge Arabella out, but with Florence being so openly affectionate, how was she ever supposed to manage that?

She’d actually planned to ask Naomi for a few gifts during their outing, but that annoying Arabella had ruined everything.

And now that ridiculously expensive bag had ended up in Arabella’s hands–how infuriating!

“Arabella, just listen to Mom. She does have an eye for these things,” Ethan chimed in, agreeing that Florence should buy Arabella whatever she liked.

Seeing even Ethan side with their mother, Arabella had little choice but to relent. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

“That’s my girl. From now on, whatever I get for you, I want you to accept it and use it.

“And I mean actually use it—no leaving things tucked away in the closet with the tags still on, understand?” Florence said, her tone loving but firm.

She knew Arabella wasn’t accustomed to designer items and might be hesitant to wear them, so she had to make it an instruction.

“Fine, I’ll try to wear something new every day. How’s that?” Arabella replied with a helpless smile.

“That would be perfect,” Florence said approvingly.

Then she turned to Ethan. “You’re not busy today? What brings you home so early?”

“Arabella and I were going over some business plans, so we drove back together,” Ethan answered calmly.

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“Business? What business?” For a moment, Florence had forgotten about the small pharmaceutical company that Jonathan and Ryan had given Arabella.

“The one Dad and Grandpa transferred to Arabella. We’re looking into investing to expand its operations,” Ethan said, deliberately mentioning it in front of Naomi and Ruby.

He hadn’t originally planned to bring it up, as it had nothing to do with them.

But after seeing the subtle hostility from Naomi and Ruby earlier, he took the opportunity to highlight Arabella’s initiative and show them just how different she was from them.

She was far more driven and capable.

Sure enough, when Naomi heard that Ethan was planning to invest in expanding Arabella’s company, her eyes widened in shock.

Arabella had already been given two companies–one from their grandfather and one from Jonathan.

And now Ethan was helping her grow one of them? Naomi felt a wave of resentment.

“Ethan, you’re expanding her company?

“Why?” Naomi asked, both curious and displeased.

Arabella already had one more company than she did–why did she need help making it bigger?

“Because it’s a sound investment,” Ethan replied simply.

Naomi frowned, not understanding. “Well, could you help expand my company too?

“Mine is so small and cramped–my team barely has room to move,” she exaggerated, hoping to appeal to his sympathy and get the same support.

“What’s the strategic value in expanding your firm?”

Ethan didn’t outright reject her. Instead, he gave her a chance to make her case.

“If my design studio had more space, we could invest in some state–of–the–art fabrication equipment. Then we could handle design and prototyping completely in–house, which would significantly improve our output quality,” Naomi explained earnestly.

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