Chapter 275 Pride and Humiliation
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“Don’t wait until you get back–transfer it now. I have to account for this to my mentor,” Arabella insisted, not giving an inch.
“Why are you being like this? I said I’d pay you when we’re home–it’s not like I’d back out,” Ruby snapped, her annoyance clear.
Arabella glanced at her. “Are you the one paying? If not, stay quiet.”
“I…” Ruby closed her mouth, resentment flashing in her eyes–she didn’t have the funds.
“Arabella, I’ll transfer it right now,” Naomi said, pulling out her phone and sending the payment immediately.
Once the notification came through, Arabella nodded. “Settled.”
“Acting all superior now that you’ve gotten your way,” Ruby muttered under her breath.
Naomi tugged discreetly at Ruby’s sleeve, signaling her to stop.
“Well, it’s the truth,” Ruby grumbled defiantly.
“Ruby, if you keep speaking carelessly and stirring up more trouble, even I won’t be able to cover for you,” Naomi warned in a low voice.
They were in Stewart Manor. Even if she wanted to protect Ruby, she still had to consider Robert’s feelings.
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Ruby didn’t dare say anything else and could only mutter, “Naomi, maybe we should just go.”
She didn’t want to stay and be humiliated any further.
Naomi clenched her jaw softly and turned to Matthew. “Matthew, I’m truly sorry about today. I’ll be more careful in the future.”
“See that you remember that,” Matthew replied, his tone carrying a clear warning.
His words felt like a physical blow to Naomi, and her face paled slightly.
“Mr. Stewart, it really wasn’t Naomi’s fault. I did everything–don’t blame her, blame me,” Ruby pleaded earnestly on Naomi’s behalf.
Matthew cast a cold glance at Ruby, “Don’t come to this house again.”
Ruby felt as if ice water had been dumped over her, a full–body shiver running through her. “I… I understand.”
It was terrifying. She felt that if she dared to refuse, she’d be thrown out the very next second.
“Naomi, let’s… let’s go,” she urged, desperate to leave.
Naomi looked at Matthew with reluctant longing. She had finally seen him and hadn’t even managed a proper conversation.
“Matthew, because of my carelessness, Mr. Stewart’s peace was disturbed. I’d like to treat you both to a meal to make up for it.”
“Since you know you disturbed my grandfather, you should leave promptly,” Matthew replied, his manner still detached.
Naomi’s face lost another shade of color.
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12:19 pm D
Chapter 275 Pride and Humiliation
“Matthew, I really know I was wrong. Do you have to be so cold?” Naomi’s eyes reddened, tears threatening to fall.
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Matthew ignored her. Gritting her teeth, she turned to Robert, tears now streaming down her face. “Mr. Stewart, can’t you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
“Naomi, don’t cry. I’m not angry with you. But you must learn not to be so easily led by others in the future,” Robert said, his tone more gentle.
“You’re really not upset with me!” Naomi cried even harder, feigning emotional relief. “Thank you, Mr. Stewart. I’ll remember what you’ve said.”
“There, there, dry your tears,” Robert soothed.
Naomi wiped her eyes. “Then I won’t disturb your rest any longer, Mr. Stewart. I’ll head home now and visit you properly another time.”
“Alright, you’re always welcome,” Robert agreed.
Naomi looked at Matthew once more. “Matthew, I’m leaving now. I’ll go home and reflect seriously on my actions.”
“I… I’m leaving too,” Ruby said, relieved to finally be going.
“Leaving just like that?” Matthew’s voice cut through the room once more.
“Matthew!” Naomi’s eyes lit up–was he asking her to stay?
“Apologize to her,” Matthew commanded.
Naomi was confused. “Apologize?”
“You’re fully aware of what transpired today. Shouldn’t you apologize to her?” Matthew’s tone brooked no argument.
Naomi took an unsteady step back, staring at Matthew in disbelief. He wanted her to apologize to Arabella?
She had already swallowed her pride, bent over backward to make amends, and he was still pushing for this?
Did he care about Arabella that much?!
“Mr. Stewart, we already paid. Why do we still have to apologize?” Ruby mustered her courage to speak up, then immediately hid behind Naomi, not daring to meet Matthew’s eyes.
They had paid the fee willingly. Apologizing on top of that would be handing their dignity over to Arabella to trample!
“So you believe your actions were justified?” Matthew’s voice was icy. He turned to the butler. “Charles, call the police.”
“Right away,” Charles replied.
“Wait!” Naomi stopped him immediately.
Matthew looked at her, as if waiting for her choice.
Naomi felt utterly humiliated, but she knew she had to apologize today. Otherwise, her parents might have to collect her from a police station, and the whole family would find out.
2/3
12:19 pm
Chapter 275 Pride and Humiliation
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Weighing the consequences, Naomi clenched her teeth and said, “Arabella, I’m sorry for what happened today. Please accept my apology.”
Arabella remained silent.
Naomi felt the awkwardness hang in the air. After a tense moment, she understood and pulled at Ruby. “Ruby, apologize.”
Ruby was seething but had no choice. Reluctantly, she muttered, “Sorry.”
“What was that? I didn’t catch it,” Arabella said, raising a brow slightly.
Furious, Ruby could only glare before raising her voice. “I said… I’m sorry!”
“Very well. You may go now,” Arabella said with an air of magnanimous dismissal.
But for Naomi and Ruby, it felt as if they had been publicly slapped–their cheeks burned with the sting of shame.