Chapter 123
Chapter 123 An Unwanted Chaperone
“But…” Florence started to protest further, but Arabella had already stood up.
“Naomi will be down soon. I need to go change.” With that, Arabella quickly headed upstairs.
“Ethan, do you have anything critical on your schedule today?” Florence asked him.
“No p>
“Then go with Arabella later,” Florence instructed.
Understanding her concern, Ethan agreed. “Alright p>
Just as he finished his coffee, Naomi and Arabella came back downstairs.
“Mom, Dad, Ethan, we’re heading out,” Naomi and Arabella said their goodbyes.
“Okay,” Jonathan replied from the head of the table.
Arabella and Naomi then walked out together.
When they reached the garage, Naomi looked at Arabella and suggested, “Arabella, I’ve pretty much got the hang of it these past few days. How about we take your plane today p>
She wanted to be the first to pilot the aircraft Frank had given Arabella, before Arabella even learned to fly it herself.
“No need. You’re not fully certified yet. Let’s just drive,” Arabella flatly refused.
Her plane was not for Naomi to experiment with.
“Fine, we’ll drive then,” Naomi said, unable to hide a hint of disappointment.
Just then, Ethan walked over and got straight into the passenger seat of Naomi’s car.
Naomi looked at him, puzzled. “Ethan, we’re going to the flight school. Why are you getting in? ”
Ethan replied calmly, “I’m coming along. Let’s go p>
“Ethan, you don’t have to listen to Mom. If she’s worried, you don’t actually have to be, do you?” Arabella said, sounding a little exasperated.
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aa
She hadn’t expected Ethan to actually follow through on Florence’s request.
“You know how Mom gets. Let’s just humor her. Once we’re there, I’ll snap a photo and text it to her. That’ll settle her nerves.
“Then I’ll leave. You didn’t seriously think I’d spend my whole day shadowing you, did you?” Ethan explained.
He was doing this purely to placate Florence.
Arabella caught his meaning and raised an eyebrow slightly. “You always have an exit strategy. Impressive p>
Naomi had been listening to their exchange and realized Ethan was only coming because Florence was overly anxious about Arabella.
The thought sent a flicker of resentment through her. When she’d taken her first flying lesson, Florence hadn’t shown nearly the same level of concern.
It seemed her standing in their mother’s heart was diminishing by the day!
The realization left a cold feeling in her chest.
“Naomi, let’s get moving,” Ethan reminded her from the back seat.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Naomi gave Arabella a long, inscrutable look before starting the car and driving away from Cloudrise Manor.
Arabella, however, was slightly taken aback by that look. It was the first time she had seen such a complex, almost chilly expression directed at her from Naomi.
On the road, Ruby called.
“Naomi, are you going to your flight lesson today?” Ruby’s voice came through the car speakers.
Naomi replied with a blank expression, her tone cool. “Yes, I’m already on my way p>
“What?! You’re already on the way? Why didn’t you tell me? I’ll leave right now,” Ruby said, her voice tinged with urgency.
“Mhm. I’ll hang up now if that’s all.” Naomi had no mood to deal with Ruby and ended the call abruptly.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Arabella could clearly sense the negative energy radiating from
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Naomi.
Ethan, meanwhile, rested with his eyes closed in the back, seemingly detached from the tension.
Soon, Naomi pulled into the private aviation center where they took their lessons.
After getting out, she led Arabella to the chief instructor’s office.
“Mr. Mitchell,” Naomi greeted the instructor familiarly.
Kyle Mitchell, Naomi’s instructor, looked up and saw Naomi walking in with someone new. “Ms. Hamilton. Good to see you p>
“And this is?” Kyle’s gaze settled on Arabella beside her.
“This is my sister. She’s starting her flight training too,” Naomi explained.
“Hello, I’m Arabella,” she introduced herself.
Hearing her name, Kyle stood up to shake her hand. “You’re Mr. Hamilton’s sister. Mr. Hamilton has already briefed me. I’ll be overseeing your training personally p>
“Alright p>
Just then, a tall, handsome man walked in from the hallway.
Lucas Myers looked at Kyle and said in a clear, direct tone, “Kyle, the school director needs to see you. You should head over now p>
“Lucas, any idea what it’s about? I’m scheduled to start a lesson,” Kyle said, glancing apologetically at Naomi and Arabella.
Lucas‘ eyes swept over the two women. Two female students? He didn’t dwell on it and continued, “Not sure, but judging by the director’s tone, it seemed urgent p>
Kyle’s face now showed clear distress. He had just promised personal instruction to Arabella, and a minute later, the director was summoning him.
If they were regular students, he might reschedule, but standing before him was Frank’s sister. He couldn’t afford to brush her off.
For a moment, he felt truly stuck.
Suddenly, an idea occurred to him. He turned to Lucas. “Lucas, are you tied up right now p>
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“Not particularly. Why?” Lucas replied, his tone neutral.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.