True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 570

"It's good to be mature and well-mannered too," Lena said gently. "But always remember—you'll always be Grandma's sweet granddaughter, alright?"

Naomi's eyes grew slightly damp. "Thank you, Grandma. I understand."

"Naomi, honey, eat up," Florence urged. Something about Naomi's tone today felt off, so she gently cut in.

"Thanks, Mom," Naomi replied softly.

"Have a little more, sweetie. You look like you've lost some weight recently," Lena added, her voice warm with concern.

"Okay." Naomi nodded.

But after just a few bites, she set her fork down.

"What's wrong, dear?" Everyone glanced her way.

Naomi offered a polite, practiced smile. "Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad—I'm full."

"Full already?" A few of them exchanged surprised looks.

Lena frowned. "No wonder you're looking so thin. You really didn't eat much."

"It's enough, Grandma, really. I'm okay," Naomi assured her, still smiling.

Florence studied her with worried eyes. "Naomi, are you feeling alright?"

She hadn't noticed her eating so little before. What was going on today?

"I'm fine, Mom." Naomi shook her head. Her smile and demeanor seemed just like always, yet there was something fragile underneath—a quiet sadness lingering between her brows that she was clearly trying to mask.

Florence and Lena exchanged a knowing glance. They seemed to grasp what might be going on and let out subtle sighs.

Maybe it was because of all the rumors that had been floating around lately—Naomi had gotten her hopes up, only for the Stewarts to issue a clear public statement so quickly. That must have stung.

After a moment, Florence spoke up. "Naomi, I've been thinking about taking a trip overseas. If you're not too tied up lately, why not come along?"

She thought maybe getting away could help Naomi clear her head.

Lena agreed warmly. "It would be lovely if Naomi could join you."

Naomi looked hesitant. "Mom, what's the occasion for going abroad?"

"Just to change the scenery. Will you come?" Florence's eyes held a hopeful gleam.

"I..." Naomi bit her lip, uncertain.

How could she leave the country now?

Even though the Stewarts had made their position clear, she wasn't ready to give up just yet.

Seeing Naomi's reluctance, Florence's expression softened with disappointment. She quickly reassured her, "It's alright if you're busy with work, honey."

Her plan had been to lift Naomi's spirits with a trip. If Naomi didn't want to go, there wasn't much point pushing it.

Jonathan understood Florence's intention. Since Naomi wasn't interested, he simply said, "Let's finish up here."

After all, you can't force someone's feelings.

Naomi was still there, chatting and laughing lightly with the others, doing her best to keep things cheerful.

But the way she carried herself now—to them, it felt almost like she was keeping up appearances, swallowing her own hurt for the sake of family peace.

As the evening wound down, Jonathan and Florence finally said their goodbyes and left with Naomi.

Once they were gone, Lena sighed deeply. "Ah, Naomi... she's carrying her own burdens."

They all understood—since her engagement to Matthew, Naomi had genuinely cared for him.

"Some things just aren't meant to be. When Matthew called off the engagement, he made it clear he didn't have those kinds of feelings for Naomi." If there had been real affection between them, there would've been no reason to end it.

"True," Lena sighed again. "They're both good people. Just not meant for each other."

"I wonder how Arabella and Matthew are doing these days," Ryan mused, a note of wistfulness in his voice.

If even Arabella and Matthew hadn't developed something real, then some things truly are beyond forcing.

"Let things unfold as they will," Lena said softly. "But Robert seems really happy with Arabella. And since we haven't heard anything from him, things are probably going well."

"I suppose so," Ryan replied.

Yet after saying it, he sank into even deeper reflection.

"I wonder who's out there for Naomi, and when she'll find him." He felt that if Naomi could meet someone who truly loved her—and whom she could love in return—she might finally be able to let go.

"Last time at her birthday, Florence tried introducing her to some new people, but you remember how that turned out..." It had ended awkwardly, so naturally nothing came of it.