True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 490

Chapter 490 A Close Call

“Oh, got it.” Arabella nodded, taking it in.

Matthew studied her for a moment. “Why the interest in Mr. Miller?”

He hadn’t pegged Arabella as one for idle chatter.

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“Turns out Mr. Miller already knows your engagement with the Hamiltons is falling through. I was just wondering how. But if what you said is true, then it makes sense.” The man did have those kinds of connections, after all.

Matthew looked at her, his expression unreadable.

Arabella’s eyes widened slightly.

on’t tell me you were the one who told him.”

“The engagement between the Hamilton and Stewart families hasn’t been called off yet,” Matthew said, his voice low.

“What?” Arabella was taken aback. “What does that mean?”

He wasn’t reconsidering marrying Naomi, was he? But he’d been so definite before…

Reading the doubt on her face, Matthew knew exactly what she was thinking. His expression clouded over instantly.

Not in the mood to explain further, he turned to leave. Staying would only tempt him to say something he’d regret.

“Wait, hold on-” Arabella instinctively moved to follow, but in her haste, she caught the hem of her gown under her heel. Her balance completely deserted her.

“Oh no,” she murmured, bracing for the humiliating plunge onto the ballroom floor.

But just as she pitched forward, a pair of strong, steady arms caught her.

“You alright?” A voice, edged with concern, sounded near her ear.

Arabella gathered her wits and looked up, meeting Matthew’s deep, assessing gaze.

“Arabella, are you okay?” Ethan and Edward, having seen the stumble, were at her side in an instant.

“I’m fine,” she managed.

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Chapter 490 A Close Call

Edward’s brow creased almost imperceptibly as he watched Arabella still leaning into Matthew’s hold. He chose his words carefully. “Arabella, did

you twist

your ankle?”

“No, just lost my footing for a second,” she explained.

“Well, since your foot’s okay,” Edward said gently, “maybe you should thank Mr. Stewart for his help.”

Arabella nodded. “Right. Thank you, Mr. Stewart.”

Her eyes lifted to Matthew’s again, and she suddenly became acutely aware that her hands were still gripping his arms.

Feeling a flush of embarrassment, Arabella quickly pushed herself upright, putting a respectful distance between them. “Sorry, I was a little dazed there. Thank you for catching me, Mr. Stewart. That would have been a seriously awkward moment.”

With half the room watching at such a high–profile event, taking a public spill would have been mortifying.

“Don’t mention it. Glad you’re steady,” Matthew replied, his tone even.

“We appreciate it, Mr. Stewart,” Edward added, offering his own thanks.

Matthew’s gaze shifted to him, turning cool and measuring. Edward felt the weight of the look but held his ground, confident he hadn’t overstepped.

“It was nothing. Just happened to be close by,” Matthew finally said.

Ethan gestured toward the lounge area. “Arabella, why don’t you go sit down for a minute, catch your breath.”

“Okay, that’s probably a good idea.” Arabella agreed and let Ethan guide her away.

Edward gave Matthew a final, polite nod before following them.

Matthew’s eyes remained dark, his expression inscrutable. The palm of his hand still faintly recalled the smooth fabric of her gown and the slender arm beneath it. A quiet, unwelcome stir of feeling brushed against his composure…

Nearby, the hushed conversations had already begun.

“Do you honestly believe Mr. Stewart sees her as just another business contact?”

“Not a chance.”

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Chapter 490 A Close Call

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“Yeah, I mean, since when does Mr. Stewart pay that kind of attention to anyone? If it were someone else who tripped, he probably wouldn’t have even noticed.”

“You know… I never really thought about it, but Mr. Stewart and Mr. Ethan’s sister actually look pretty good together.”

“Now that you say it, yeah, they kind of do.”

The murmurs continued, weaving through the crowd. The more Arabella caught, the deeper her frown became.

Almost against her will, her gaze drifted back toward Matthew. He was already looking away, his attention elsewhere.

She bit her lower lip lightly, a flicker of unease crossing her features.

“What’s on your mind?” Ethan asked, keeping his voice low.

“Nothing important.” Arabella shook her head. Repeating the gossip aloud felt cheap.

Ethan seemed to understand anyway. “Ignore them. Some people just live for the drama. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Arabella conceded with a small nod.

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