True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 433

433 Managing the Fallout

Jonathan’s voice softened, though it still carried a note of authority. “Let’s head upstairs for now. We can talk more tomorrow.” Naomi rose from her seat and started toward the staircase. As she passed Arabella, she shot her a look loaded with meaning.

Arabella raised an eyebrow, unfazed, and calmly speared another piece of melon with her fork.

Naomi’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing and stalked up the stairs.

Florence turned to Arabella, her expression gentle but concerned. “Sweetheart, don’t take what Naomi said to heart. She’s just upset about everything that happened tonight. She didn’t mean it.”

Arabella shrugged, her tone indifferent. “Honestly, she should be glad her little plan didn’t work. If it had, she’d be feeling a lot worse right now.”

Because if there was one thing Arabella knew, it was that Matthew wasn’t the kind of man she could trap. Naomi claimed to have loved him for years, but she clearly didn’t understand him at all. If he were that easy to manipulate, he wouldn’t be who he was.

Ethan leaned forward, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Arabella, what actually went down in there? I went looking for Naomi in the dressing room, but she wasn’t there.”

Arabella glanced at him. “She probably made sure you couldn’t find her on purpose.” Then she turned to Frank. “Frank, we need someone monitoring the media coverage, especially online. We can’t let any weird rumors slip through the cracks.”

Frank nodded. “Got it. I’ll handle it.”

Alfred let out a weary sigh. “She just went after you like that, and you’re still cleaning up her mess?”

Arabella shook her head slightly. “It’s not just for her. It’s for the whole family. If word gets out about what happened tonight, Naomi’s reputation takes a hit–but so does the Hamilton name. People will talk.”

Frank gave her a reassuring look. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure someone’s keeping a close eye on everything. Nothing’s going to slip through.”

Arabella nodded, satisfied, and picked up her fork again.

Alfred couldn’t help but ask, “Arabella, why have you been eating melon this whole time?”

Arabella’s expression shifted into something almost childlike. She pouted. “Because I’m hungry!”

There wasn’t anything else around. Just the fruit plate.

Florence’s face softened with immediate concern. “Oh, honey. Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

Arabella shrugged lightly. “With everything going on, I figured everyone was too upset to think about food.” So she’d just quietly

dealt with it.

Florence stood up decisively. “I’ll go make you some pasta.”

Ethan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly put on his own pitiful expression. “Mom… actually, I’m kind of hungry too.”

Florence laughed despite herself, shaking her head. “Sit tight. There’s enough for everyone.”

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It was true–none of them had managed to eat a single thing at the banquet. She’d been so caught up in everything that she hadn’t even thought about it.

Ethan grinned. “Thanks, Mom!” Then he turned to Arabella with a teasing smile. “And a special thanks to Arabella. We’re all eating tonight because of you.”

Florence’s voice floated in from the kitchen, warm and scolding. “Still running your mouth when food’s on the way?”

Laughter filled the living room, light and easy.

Upstairs, hidden in the shadows at the top of the staircase, Naomi watched the scene below. Her eyes were dark, her expression

hollow.

Right. I’m the outsider,” she muttered under her breath, her voice barely a whisper. “All that talk about love and family. Just pretty words. Nothing but lies.”

he turned and disappeared into her room.

fter a long shower, she changed into her pajamas and was just settling onto the bed when her phone rang. Ruby’s name flashed in the screen.

laomi answered.

Ruby.”

Naomi! Congratulations!”

here was a beat of silence on Naomi’s end.

uby’s voice faltered, confusion creeping in. “Wait… what? Did something go wrong?” She could hear it in Naomi’s tone- omething was off. If things had worked out, Naomi should have been ecstatic.

laomi took a breath, forcing herself to calm down slightly. “Ruby, where were you? You weren’t at the venue.”

tuby let out a frustrated sigh. “Don’t even ask. My parents showed up because of that whole thing with me spilling something on Mr. Stewart. They dragged me home, and I just spent the last hour getting yelled at. I only just got a chance to call you now that hey’ve finally gone to sleep.”

She lowered her voice. “Naomi… it didn’t work, did it?”

Naomi was quiet for a moment, then let out a long, defeated sigh. In a low voice, she walked Ruby through everything that had happened after Ruby had left.

Ruby gasped. “No way! How did it fall apart?”

Naomi’s voice was bitter. “The waiter said Matthew suddenly decided to go to the restroom to clean up. Right at the last second.” They had been so close. So close.

Ruby was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then her voice dropped to a near whisper. “That doesn’t make sense. I set everything up perfectly…” She paused. “Wait. Naomi, what if Arabella sabotaged it?”

Naomi’s face went pale.

Ruby continued, her words tumbling out faster now. “Think about it–Arabella was right there next to you the whole time. She

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up.”

Naomi’s grip on the phone tightened as Ruby’s words sank in. It made sense. It made too much sense.

Through gritted teeth, Naomi hissed, “She was just downstairs, lecturing me like she’s so innocent. Like she’s above all of this. Acting all righteous.” Her voice shook with fury. “How dare she.”

Ruby’s voice rose in outrage. “She lectured you?! After everything? Does she have no shame?”

Naomi’s anger gave way to something softer–hurt. Her voice cracked slightly as she told Ruby about the rest of the night. About the confrontation. About how her family had circled around Arabella like she was the only one who mattered,

Ruby was stunned. “You called them out? In front of everyone?”

Naomi’s eyes burned. “I couldn’t take it anymore, Ruby. They keep saying they love me. That I’m still their daughter. But they’re ready to hand me off to some stranger and leave Matthew for her. She’s made me look like a fool. She’s made me the villain in my own life.”