True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 448

Chapter 448 Defensive Words

Chapter 448 Defensive Words

Andy blinked. “You don’t want to know who was behind it, sir?”

It seemed like a loose end worth tying up. Someone had interfered–better to understand the situation.

“Doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with me.” Matthew’s voice was even. “So it’s not important.”

Andy frowned, then understood. “You think the Hamiltons might have stepped in. To protect Naomi’s reputation.”

“Possible.” Matthew nodded. First for Naomi, second for the family name.

“Got it.” Andy paused. “What about Ruby?”

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“Keep someone on her. She won’t let this go.” Matthew’s eyes darkened. If she didn’t learn when to stop, he wouldn’t either.

“Understood.”

The elevator doors opened. They stepped out and headed toward the conference room.

Night fell over Cloudrise Manor.

When Arabella pulled into the driveway, the house was already lit up. She spotted Naomi’s car and tensed slightly.

“Moved out yesterday, back tonight?” she muttered, climbing out.

Then she noticed another car. Liam’s.

“Uncle and Aunt are here,” she realized.

Inside, the first thing she heard was Liam’s voice, sharp with frustration. “You’re getting more and more out of line. You’re lucky Matthew didn’t make a bigger deal out of this.”

Ruby sat with her head down, silent, her expression unreadable.

Arabella crossed to the living room. “Mom. Dad. Uncle. Aunt. Ethan.”

“Arabella’s back.” Sophia’s face lit up the moment she saw her.

“Come sit.” Florence gestured. “Long day?”

“Not really.” Arabella shook her head, then glanced at Liam and Sophia. “Everything okay? What brings you by?”

“Nothing major.” Liam waved it off. “We came in early for Naomi’s birthday, so we figured we’d stop by and visit.”

“Ah. That’s nice.” Arabella didn’t press.

Sophia studied her. “You look a little tired. Work rough today?”

“Just spent some time in the sun, planting.” Arabella touched her cheek. “I’ll throw on a sheet mask later, take it easy. I’ll be fine.”

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10:15 am

Chapter 448 Defensive Words

Sophia laughed warmly. “Good. A girl’s got to take care of her skin. Especially you–you’re practically glowing as it is.”

Arabella felt her cheeks warm. “Aunt, you’re too kind.”

She knew she looked fine, but glowing like a fairy? That was a stretch.

“I mean it.” Sophia’s admiration was genuine. “You’re even more beautiful than your mother was at your age.”

Ruby muttered under her breath, “Mom, she doesn’t want to hear that. You’re just laying it on thick.”

“Quiet.” Liam shot her a look. “Laying it on thick? Your mother doesn’t need to flatter anyone.”

Ruby’s jaw tightened. “Do you even remember who your actual daughter is?”

From the moment they’d walked in, it was all Arabella this, Arabella that. All she got was criticism.

Beside her, Naomi felt a quiet sting. They’d praised her plenty over the years, but never like this.

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“Exactly because you’re our daughter,” Sophia said evenly, “we want you to have some sense. Some ambition. If you were half as composed as Arabella, we’d be thrilled.”

Liam nodded. “We’re hard on you because we want better for you. You won’t live up to your potential acting like this.”

“You just don’t like me.” Ruby’s voice wavered between anger and hurt. “Nothing I do is ever enough.”

Being compared to Arabella stung the most. What did Arabella have that she didn’t?

Naomi stepped in smoothly. “Uncle Liam, Aunt Sophia–Ruby’s still young. She’ll find her footing once she graduates and starts running her own company. With both of you guiding her, she’ll get there.”

Liam sighed. “Maybe. We haven’t had enough time to steer her right. She’s gotten too stubborn.”

He looked at his sister’s daughters–both so capable, so steady–and felt a pang of envy.

“I will.” Ruby lifted her chin. “Once I graduate and get my company off the ground, you’ll see. I’m not as bad as you think.”

Liam’s sigh was heavy. “We’ll see.” What parent didn’t hope their child would succeed?

Ruby’s jaw tightened. He still didn’t believe in her.

“Dinner’s ready,” Florence called from the dining room. “Let’s eat.”

Jonathan stood. “Come on, let’s open something nice.”

“Paul, could you grab a bottle of red?” Florence asked.

“Right away.”

Ethan smiled. “I’ll join you tonight, Uncle.”

Liam’s expression softened slightly. “Good. Let’s drink”

They moved to the dining room and settled around the table. The wine, decanted, sat in the center

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10:15 am P

Chapter 448 Defensive Words

Liam glanced at Arabella. “Want some?”

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