True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 536

Watching the car pull away, Brielle couldn't help but sigh in frustration.

"Everyone's got their own thing going on. I'm just stuck here bored out of my mind," she mumbled, her mood clearly sinking.

"Miss, your father asked me to remind you that he'd like you to come home," the driver said gently.

Brielle frowned. "I don't want to go home. All they ever talk about is me reaching out to Matthew or learning how to manage the family business. I'm not interested in any of that."

"But those are good opportunities, Miss," the driver replied, sounding a little puzzled. Most people would jump at chances like those.

"Then what do you want to do?" he added.

Brielle thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered Arabella was taking flight lessons. Her face brightened.

"Hey, Edgar—have you ever heard of the flight academy?"

"I've heard the name, but I've never been there," he answered curiously. "Why do you ask, Miss?"

"Take me there," Brielle said, already sliding into the back seat with newfound energy.

"What for, Miss?" Edgar asked, still confused.

"I just want to check it out. Looks like a cool place," she said vaguely, then urged. "Come on, let's go—quick!"

"Alright then," Edgar agreed reluctantly.

"You should probably let your father know first, though," he suggested cautiously.

Brielle shook her head. "No way. If I tell him, he won't let me go."

Better to ask for forgiveness later than permission now, she figured.

"But I really think I should—" Edgar began, but Brielle cut him off.

"It's fine. I'm just going to look around. I won't be long, and then we'll head straight back."

Edgar gave in. "Alright."

Leaning back in her seat, Brielle smiled to herself. Just the thought of visiting the flight academy lifted her spirits so much that she started humming a light tune.

*****

Over at the pharmaceutical company, Lucas had just dropped Arabella off.

"Don't forget to let me know once the date's confirmed," Arabella reminded him as she got out of the car.

"I will," Lucas replied. After a brief pause, he added, "Since your check ride is coming up, you should try to get more flight time in over the next few days. Build your confidence in the air."

"Sounds good," Arabella agreed. Even though she'd completed her required hours, extra practice never hurt.

Lucas smiled—almost eagerly. "Great. I'll be at the institute every day this week. We can practice together."

Arabella raised an eyebrow slightly. Why did he sound so excited about that?

But Lucas was already starting the engine. He gave her a casual wave. "I'll see you later."

She didn't see anything unusual about it. Knowing Lucas, good food was reason enough to go out of his way.

"Never mind. Forget I mentioned it," Ethan said, not wanting to push further if Arabella wasn't picking up on his hint.

"You're being unusually cryptic today," Arabella remarked, half-smiling.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to give you a heads-up, but you seem to have your own take on things, so I'll let it be." At least it was clear to him that Arabella wasn't particularly interested in Lucas.

"How mysterious," Arabella said lightly.

"Actually, the main reason I came was to let you know that Kindwell Hospital reached out. The authorities want you to treat Dylan and Harper," Ethan explained, shifting to a more serious tone. "Their criminal case is still open, but they've been released on medical parole. Once they're cleared as medically stable, the legal proceedings can move forward."

A slight smile touched Arabella's lips. "They didn't waste any time, did they?"

Ethan looked surprised. "You already knew?"

"I did. I also had Orion pull some strings to make sure I was placed on their medical review team," Arabella replied calmly.

"So you had this planned out ahead of time," Ethan said, admiration in his tone. "Frank and I were actually worried you might refuse to treat them."

"A doctor's duty is to heal. I'm a physician, so of course I'll treat them," Arabella said smoothly, her expression purposeful. "And I'll make sure they recover fully."

Catching the determined look in her eyes, Ethan nodded slowly. "This is your chance to take the lead, then."

Trying to fake an illness to delay the trial? Not under her watch.

"Since you've already arranged everything, that's one less thing to worry about," Ethan said, feeling both relieved and quietly impressed.