"Okay, I will," Arabella replied simply. She didn't want Edward to worry.
"Promise me," Edward insisted, concerned she might just be brushing him off.
Arabella gave a light smile. "Alright, I promise."
After all, what she chose to share—and how much—was entirely up to her.
She asked a few more questions about how things were going at Edward's company, and only once she felt reassured did she finally hang up.
After a quick warm shower and a change of clothes, Arabella headed downstairs for dinner.
Watching Naomi's little performance unfold, Arabella allowed a faint smile to touch her lips. She treated it like watching a free show.
"Dad, Mom," Naomi began, her tone hopeful, "it's been a while since we visited Grandma and Grandpa. I was thinking we could go this weekend. Are you both free?"
"Of course," Florence answered right away.
"Then I'll need to pick up some gifts these next couple of days. What do you think they'd like?" Naomi wondered aloud, putting on a thoughtful expression.
Florence's eyes softened. "Honey, they'll love anything you choose."
"Honestly, they'd just be happy to see you," Jonathan added warmly.
Naomi shook her head playfully. "I still want to bring something nice. It's how I show I care."
"Alright, whatever you prefer," Florence agreed, still smiling.
"Arabella," Naomi turned toward her, "are you coming too?"
Arabella paused briefly. "I've got plans this weekend, so I'll have to pass."
"Busy even on the weekend? Got a hot date?" Naomi teased lightly.
"No," Arabella replied calmly. "Work."
"Working on a weekend? Arabella, you really don't give yourself a break," Naomi said, sounding almost embarrassed. "I could never keep up."
"We're in different fields," Arabella said coolly, though she did offer a response.
"Naomi, if you want to visit your grandparents, go ahead. Arabella can join another time," Ethan chimed in.
Frank nodded in agreement. "Besides, you sprung this idea out of nowhere. Since Arabella already has commitments, let's not pressure her."
"Yeah," Naomi said softly, "I just thought it'd be nice if the whole family went together. But it's totally fine if Arabella can't make it. Grandma and Grandpa would understand."
Arabella frowned. "Could you just speak normally?"
She'd had enough of the sugar-coated passive aggression.
"Huh?" Naomi blinked, caught off guard.
"Naomi," Florence interjected gently, "Arabella has her own schedule. The rest of us will go."
"Okay, sure," Naomi replied, quickly slipping back into her pleasant demeanor.
A comfortable silence settled over the dining room, and Arabella finally felt at ease.
After finishing dinner, Arabella stood. "I'm heading up to my room."
"It's Colton. I'm downstairs—mind if I come up?"
"Come on up. Just tell reception you're here to see me," Arabella said.
"Will do," Colton replied before hanging up.
A short while later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Arabella called.
The door opened, and Chloe stepped in with Colton behind her. "Ms. Hamilton, your visitor is here."
"Thanks, Chloe. That'll be all," Arabella said.
"Of course," Chloe replied before exiting and closing the door quietly. She was curious about Colton, but knew better than to pry.
"What's so urgent that you came all the way here?" Arabella asked, raising a brow.
Colton pulled out a document. "Horizon Corp agreed to your terms. The contract's ready."
"He didn't waste any time," Arabella remarked, not seeming surprised.
"Once you sign, it's effective immediately," Colton said. "Any thoughts on the new product design?"
"It's fine," Arabella said with a slight curl of her lips. "Pearl accessories aren't our core line anyway, so we can let this one align with the Horizon Corp collaboration. For our own new seasonal collection, I'll design a separate set."
"But our current designs are selling really well," Colton pointed out, sounding a bit reluctant to shift focus.
Arabella smiled with confidence. "The new collection will do just as well when it drops. And for customers who love pearl jewelry, they can always purchase from Horizon Jewelry. With the co-branding, we're not losing out—we're expanding."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella)
This has been going for too long in circles. Reached ch 654 and it's still the same twists no changes at all. Other novels reaches it's climax not beyond ch 300 and it's more captivating. Don't let us readers abandon this....
Update please...
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......