True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 648

Robert, however, turned to look at Arabella, and his face instantly brightened with a warm smile. "Dr. Hamilton, you came all the way over this early. You must not have had breakfast yet. Please, join us."

"I..." Arabella hesitated, but the quiet rumble from her stomach made the decision for her.

She really was feeling a bit hungry, so she stopped overthinking and nodded. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Not at all," Robert replied cheerfully. "I'd be happy if you joined us every morning."

"Come on, let's head to the dining room," Robert said, gesturing for Arabella to follow him.

Matthew was left standing there. He gave a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head. For a moment, he felt a bit like a third wheel.

"Mr. Stewart," Andy murmured quietly from beside him, "shall we?"

"Mm." Matthew followed them into the dining room.

Once seated, Arabella kept her eyes down, focusing on her plate. She didn't dare make eye contact with Matthew and simply ate in silence.

"Dr. Hamilton, is everything alright?" Robert noticed her unusual quietness and asked with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," Arabella replied quickly, shaking her head before taking another bite.

Robert's brow furrowed slightly, and he shot a glance toward Matthew. What's going on?

Seeing his grandfather's stern look, Matthew sighed inwardly.

Did Robert think he had done something to upset her?

"Maybe it wasn't necessary to bother Dr. Hamilton with something so minor in the first place," Matthew said plainly.

Arabella paused mid-bite and frowned. What was he trying to imply?

"Honestly, listen to yourself," Robert chimed in, taking Arabella's side. "This isn't about whether it's a big deal or a small deal.

"It's about you not taking your health seriously. Dr. Hamilton is your physician—of course she'd be concerned." With a patient who didn't follow advice, it was only natural for a doctor to be frustrated.

"You're right," Matthew conceded without argument.

Arabella blinked, confused. What was Matthew playing at?

Annoy Robert, get scolded, then apologize so meekly—the whole act was pretty smooth.

She glanced from Robert to Matthew, then back again.

Biting her lip lightly, Arabella said, "Don't worry, Robert. Mr. Stewart is perfectly fine. He might feel a little tired from the drinking, but with some rest he'll be back to normal."

Then, turning to Matthew, she added, "Robert is just looking out for you. Perhaps you could be a bit more careful going forward."

"There, you see? If Dr. Hamilton says you're fine, then you are," Robert said, his expression softening into a kind smile.

He then turned and leveled a stern look at Matthew. "Did you hear that? Dr. Hamilton said you need to be more careful from now on."

"I heard," Matthew replied evenly.

Watching Matthew being so unexpectedly compliant, Arabella raised an eyebrow slightly, and the corner of her mouth tugged upward almost involuntarily.

The tension in the room eased, and Arabella's earlier awkwardness began to fade.

After breakfast, Matthew and Arabella prepared to leave.

"Dr. Hamilton, do stop by and visit this old man when you have some time," Robert said with a warm smile as he walked her out.

The memory brought a faint, almost unconscious smile to his lips. Part of him wondered if this was what the rest of his life could feel like.

*****

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Arabella was driving down the quiet suburban streets.

Her thoughts kept circling back to what had happened that night and Naomi's shocking, reckless behavior. She couldn't help but feel a chill run through her.

"What was she thinking?" Arabella muttered under her breath.

Even if Naomi had succeeded, even if Matthew had ended up marrying her as she'd hoped—what was the point if there was no love between them?

A lifetime of misery together? Why would anyone choose that?

And this was Matthew they were talking about.

"What made her so sure Matthew would marry her if her plan had worked?" Arabella doubted anyone could force Matthew Stewart into anything.

"She brought this on herself," Arabella said, shaking her head slowly.

Still, she probably needed to give her family some warning before the news broke. They shouldn't have to find out abruptly and be left in shock.

Especially her mother. How would she take it?

Arabella's frown deepened as she mentally rehearsed how to break the news gently.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed on the passenger seat.

Seeing Colton's name on the screen, she answered, "What's up?"