True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 358

Chapter 358 Tense Atmosphere at Family Dinner

“You don’t know this grandson of mine like I do,” Robert said, a touch helplessly.

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Ryan chuckled. “Look, they were gone for quite a while. If things had gone poorly, they would have been back much sooner.”

Robert considered this and nodded. “You have a point.”

“Come now, don’t dwell on it. Weren’t you just saying we should all get together for a meal next time? We’ll pick a date and invite them all over. Then you’ll see for yourself,” Ryan suggested.

“Alright, I’ll make the arrangements,” Robert decided.

After returning home, Arabella went straight to her room.

She gathered the finished sketches, planning to give them to Colton tomorrow.

Once her painting supplies were put away, Arabella sank onto the sofa and let out a long sigh. Her impeccable dignity–shattered!

What on earth had gotten into her today? How could she have acted like that?

“I really can’t stay up so late anymore. Getting drowsy and disoriented during the day is just… mortifying,” Arabella muttered to herself in frustration.

‘Arabella.” Florence’s voice came, followed by a soft knock on the door.

‘Mom,” Arabella answered, opening the door. “What is it?”

Florence looked at her with concern. “I just brought you some fruit.”

She handed a small plate of sliced fruit to Arabella and added, “Your grandmother called and mentioned you weren’t feeling your best. Have a little something and rest up. We’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

‘Thanks, Mom,” Arabella said, accepting the plate.

Florence reached out and gently felt Arabella’s forehead. “You didn’t catch a chill by the waterfall, did you?”

‘No, I think I was just tired,” Arabella explained.

‘Alright then, I’ll let you rest,” Florence said, quietly closing the door as she left.

Arabella looked down at the fruit plate in her hands, her expression softening.

Returning to her bed, she speared a piece of apple with a fork and took a bite.

‘Mmm, sweet,” she said, a genuine smile finally reaching her eyes.

“It really is good to be home,” she sighed, leaning back against the pillows. She kicked off her slippers, wiggled her toes freely, and felt completely relaxed and at ease.

Soon, the earlier awkwardness was set aside. Arabella enjoyed her fruit, humming softly to herself, perfectly content.

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12:06 pm

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Chapter 358 Tense Atmosphere at Family Dinner

As dusk began to settle, Arabella checked the time and, figuring it was about right, headed downstairs.

“There you are. We were just about to call you,” Florence said with a warm smile. “Are you feeling better?”

“Is Arabella not feeling well?” Alfred asked, his tone instantly concerned.

Arabella shook her head. “It’s nothing serious. I was just a bit rundown. I feel much better after resting.”

“Oh, good,” Alfred said, visibly relieved.

“Come, have a seat. Dinner will be ready any minute,” Florence invited.

Just as everyone settled at the table, Ethan and Naomi returned home.

“Ethan, Naomi,” Alfred greeted them. “Perfect timing. We’re just sitting down to eat.”

The two joined them in the dining room. Naomi asked, “Is Dad not home yet?”

“He has a business dinner tonight, so he won’t be joining us,” Florence explained.

‘I see,” Naomi said. She then looked at Alfred. “Alfred, did you just get back today?”

‘Yeah, arrived this morning,” Alfred replied.

A hopeful look entered Naomi’s eyes. “So you won’t be leaving again right away?”

‘No,” Alfred answered. “I’ll at least be here for your birthday.”

‘That’s wonderful. Thank you for coming back for my party, Alfred,” Naomi said sweetly.

Alfred waved a hand dismissively. “We’re family. No thanks needed.”

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‘Naomi, speaking of your birthday, it’s coming up soon. There will be quite a few guests that day. I’ll introduce you to some new riends then,” Florence said.

She had plans for Naomi to meet some other promising young people from their social circle and had already made the necessary arrangements. Mentioning it now was to give Naomi a gentle heads–up.

Naomi looked pleasantly surprised. “Will there be people we haven’t met before?”

‘Yes, several new faces,” Florence confirmed with a smile.

Biting her lip slightly, Naomi felt a flutter of excitement. It seemed the Hamiltons truly did hold her in high regard.

‘Arabella, have some of the roast. You’ve been working hard; you need to keep your strength up,” Alfred said, sliding a platter of savory meat dishes closer to her.

Arabella smiled. “Alfred, you have some too. Your assignments are even more demanding.”

‘Only your Alfred gets the special treatment?” Ethan looked at Arabella, pretending to be wounded.

Alfred couldn’t help but roll his eyes at his brother. “Are you seriously getting competitive about this?”

“I’m not wrong,” Ethan said, keeping his expression perfectly serious.

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12:06 pm

ppp.

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Chapter 358 Tense Atmosphere at Family Dinner

“Fine, you ‘replenish‘ too,” Alfred said, then promptly heaped a generous serving of steamed vegetables into Ethan’s bowl.

Ethan shot Alfred a mock glare. “Looking for trouble?”

“You couldn’t win even if you were,” Alfred retorted with an unconcerned shrug.

“Ethan, Alfred, stop it. I have plenty here too. Ethan, you can have some of mine,” Naomi said, quickly pushing the platter of meat dishes from in front of her toward Ethan.

Ethan was taken aback, and Alfred also looked momentarily puzzled.

“Can’t you tell they’re just joking around? Or did you want to see them actually argue?” Arabella frowned, her tone laced with displeasure.

It had all been lighthearted sibling ribbing, but Naomi’s intervention had created an awkward tension and shifted the mood entirely.

“Oh! I… I didn’t mean it like that,” Naomi flustered, her cheeks coloring. “That wasn’t my intention at all. I just thought since Ethan has been working hard too, he should also eat well.”

Arabella’s gaze swept calmly across the generously laden table. “There’s more than enough food here for everyone. If it somehow wasn’t, the kitchen could make more in minutes. The Hamilton family isn’t in such dire straits that we need to stage a show of excessive politeness over a single serving dish.”

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