True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 538

"I'll give it my all," Edward replied with a determined nod.

Arabella smiled softly. "Once you land the project, you owe us a nice dinner."

"Deal," Edward chuckled. "It'll be my treat."

After sharing some light conversation and laughs, Arabella and Ethan prepared to leave.

"Alright, I'll catch up with you both another time," Edward said.

"Don't work yourself too hard, okay? Make sure to take care of yourself," Arabella reminded him gently.

Edward met her gaze earnestly. "Don't worry—I will."

"We should get going now," Arabella said, turning toward the door.

Ethan added, "Take care, Edward."

"Let me walk you out," Edward offered, starting to step around his desk.

"No need for formalities," Ethan said warmly. "You're Arabella's brother—that makes you family to us, too."

Edward paused, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Family," he repeated silently. This was Ethan Hamilton—a heavyweight in the financial world.

He was so taken aback by Ethan's remark that he barely registered their departure from the office.

"Mr. Macdonald, is everything alright?" His secretary peeked in, concern in her voice.

Edward snapped back to the present. Glancing at the now-empty doorway, he felt a faint pang of something like wistfulness.

"I'm fine," he said quietly, returning to his desk and picking up the documents again.

Seeing he had nothing further, his assistant slipped out, closing the door behind her.

Out in the parking lot, Arabella and Ethan settled into the car.

"Ethan, Edward has really come a long way, hasn't he?" Arabella remarked as Ethan started the engine.

"He's definitely sharp. You can tell he put in the work and studied hard even during those years he was unwell," Ethan agreed.

"I just hope he grows stronger soon," Arabella said, her tone hopeful yet earnest. "Only then will I really be able to relax."

Ethan ventured carefully, "Is it the Clarks you're worried about?"

"Yes." Arabella nodded seriously.

She knew Freya and Calvin weren't the type to back down easily.

"Try not to overthink it. I'm sure he's aware, and he'll learn to handle things as they come," Ethan reassured her.

"If it's out in the open, maybe he can manage. But I'm afraid Freya and the others might play dirty. My brother wouldn't stand a chance against that kind of game," Arabella admitted.

"That's in the past now," Ethan said gently. "You're home with the Hamiltons—your real family. You'll get more warmth and care here than you could ever need."

"Yeah," Arabella agreed softly. "It wasn't until I came back to the Hamiltons that I finally understood what 'home' really means."

The love and acceptance she'd received from them had been unconditional, genuine, and effortless.

Ethan glanced at her, a trace of tenderness in his gaze. This was their little sister—the one who should have been cherished from the start—yet she'd been through so much out there on her own.

"Ethan, why are you looking at me like that?" Arabella said, trying to lighten the mood. "Everything I missed before has been given back to me now. And what I've gained won't be taken away. So really, I'm still coming out ahead."

"Always so optimistic," Ethan smiled, though there was a touch of sweetness to it.

"So, where are we heading now?" Arabella shifted the subject.

"Do you have anything else planned? If not, let's head home," Ethan suggested.

Arabella nodded. "Sounds perfect."

"We can relax a bit once we're back. It'll be dinner time before long," Ethan remarked casually.

"I'm not really tired." Arabella thought for a moment. "How about we stop by the grocery store? I'll cook dinner tonight."

"You're cooking?" Ethan sounded pleasantly surprised.

Arabella smiled. "Yeah, now that I think about it—ever since I came home, I've been soaking up everyone's care. I haven't really done anything in return."