Chapter 489 The Engagement
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Arabella glanced at her, not sure whether to be amused or exasperated. “Alright, fine. If you’re going to keep using my name to get out of trouble with your dad, you’d better stay on your best behavior.”
If she messed things up, her father probably wouldn’t cut her any slack–no matter whose friend she claimed to be.
Matthew chimed in with a warning of his own. “You really should watch your step.”
Brielle just lifted her chin defiantly in his direction. “Hmph.”
“Mr. Miller,” Matthew said, his tone firming slightly.
Brielle backed down immediately, reaching out to clutch his sleeve. “Okay, okay–don’t tell him, Matthew.”
Matthew’s eyes dropped to where her hand gripped his sleeve. After a brief hesitation, she let
He smoothed out the wrinkled fabric with deliberate calm, his expression turning even cooler.
“So touchy,” Brielle grumbled. “You started it, scaring me like that.”
“Be careful,” Matthew replied evenly. “Or I won’t hesitate to leave you behind again.”
Another “hmph” escaped her before she turned toward Arabella. “Arabella, he’s so harsh. How do you deal with him?”
Arabella’s gaze remained steady. “I don’t really have to ‘deal‘ with him.”
Their interactions were mostly just work–related, after all.
“Wow, you’re brave. He can be pretty intimidating when he’s upset–I’d never dare talk back. like that.” Brielle looked at Arabella with genuine admiration.
Arabella’s lips twitched. Was that really what she meant?
Matthew watched Arabella closely, a faint, amused glint in his eyes, as though curious how she’d respond.
“Let’s go grab some juice, Brielle,” Arabella suggested, shifting the subject.
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Chapter 489 The Engagement
“Sure!” Brielle’s face lit up at the mention of refreshments.
“Excuse us, Mr. Stewart,” Arabella said politely before guiding Brielle away.
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Matthew paused for a moment, an unconscious, subtle smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
“Arabella,” Brielle began as they walked, sounding genuinely puzzled, “how come Mr. Stewart never gets stern with you?”
Instead of answering, Arabella turned the question back on her. “Do you like Mr. Stewart?”
“Huh?” Brielle frowned, seeming to genuinely consider it. “I’m not sure,” she said finally. “But my dad keeps saying I should marry Matthew.”
“But
you know he’s engaged, right?” Arabella asked, curious.
“Dad says he’s got reliable information that the Stewarts and the Hamiltons are calling off the engagement soon. So he wants me to make a move before it becomes public.” Brielle laid it all out plainly.
Arabella blinked in surprise. That was a thing?
“Don’t spread it around, though,” Brielle added, lowering her voice. “Not many people know yet.”
Arabella nodded thoughtfully. “Well… good luck with that, I guess.”
Brielle made a conflicted face. “Honestly, I don’t even know if this is the right thing to do.”
“What do
you mean?”
“It’s hard to explain. I just have this… weird feeling about it.” Brielle sighed and shook her head. “Never mind–let’s not talk about that. Let’s go try the desserts.”
Watching Brielle’s expression instantly brighten back into carefree excitement, Arabella smiled faintly and shook her head. “At your age, when good food matters more than anything else, I guess everything else really does take a backseat.”
“Arabella, this one’s delicious–you have to try it.” Brielle was about to hand her a slice of cake when Matthew took hold of Arabella’s arm.
“Is something wrong?” Arabella looked up, confused.
“As my plus–one tonight, I’d say you have an obligation to stick with me through most of the
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Chapter 489 The Engagement
event,” Matthew said quietly.
:
“Huh?” Arabella still didn’t follow. “What else do you need me to do?”
Follow him around and accept compliments from people? That didn’t seem necessary.
“Come on, Matthew. You won’t hang out with me, and now you’re taking Arabella away, too?” Brielle complained.
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The readers' comments on the novel: True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella)
I started the novel with great interest. In the beginning the storyline was captivating. Then I feel that the more the story advances, the twists were no longer great. Moreover I don't like Arabella s personality, cold, distant......