Chapter 261 Sparks at the Dinner Table
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Naomi’s expression soured further. So, the consensus was that she couldn’t do it–not that she hadn’t tried hard enough. That truth cut deeper than any accusation of laziness.
“We’ll get our licenses, Frank, Ethan, Alfred. Just you wait,” Ruby declared, shooting Arabella a pointed, challenging look.
“Honestly, there’s no need to push yourselves so hard,” Arabella said calmly. “It’s not like you have a plane to fly anyway.”
What was the point of a license? For them, it would just be another piece of paper–completely impractical.
“What did you just say?” Ruby snapped, her temper flaring at Arabella’s dig.
Arabella raised an eyebrow slightly. “Was I wrong?”
Ruby quietly ground her teeth. That was the worst part–Arabella wasn’t wrong.
“Ruby, what’s with the drama?” Alfred said, his tone disapproving. He particularly disliked her attitude toward Arabella.
“Alfred, why aren’t you saying anything to her? She’s the one who started it!” Ruby protested.
“All I heard was you making a scene. Not a good look,” Ethan remarked coolly.
“Ruby,” Naomi quickly interjected, pulling her cousin back by the arm in a clear signal to drop it and calm down.
Making more noise now would only put them at a bigger disadvantage.
She then turned to Ethan and Alfred. “Ethan, Alfred, Ruby’s just frustrated about failing the test. Please cut her some slack.”
“Being frustrated doesn’t give you a pass to act out here, Ruby. You need to work on that,” Jonathan added, his voice carrying a note of warning.
“Yes, Uncle Jonathan,” Ruby replied, forcing the words out. Since he had spoken, she had to swallow her anger, no matter how furious she felt.
“Let’s eat before everything gets cold,” Florence chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. This dinner was specially for Arabella–she wouldn’t let the atmosphere be ruined.
“Arabella, I haven’t officially congratulated you yet,” Ethan said, pouring some cranberry juice into her glass. “Here, you have juice, I’ll have wine–a toast to you passing the test.”
“Count me in,” Alfred said, raising his wine glass.
“Can’t leave me out.” Frank joined, lifting his own.
Jonathan smiled. “In that case, I’ll offer my congratulations as well.”
“Thank you, Dad. Thank you, guys,” Arabella said sincerely, clinking her juice glass against theirs.
“Hmph. Big deal,” Ruby muttered under her breath, almost inaudibly.
“Quiet, or you’ll get told off again,” Naomi whispered to her sharply.
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Chapter 261 Sparks at the Dinner Table
Ruby stuck her tongue out subtly. “They can’t hear me. I’m being quiet.”
Besides, everyone’s attention was fixed on Arabella now. Who would notice her?
Outwardly composed, Naomi was quietly stewing inside.
Ever since Arabella had returned, she’d felt increasingly invisible.
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Even Frank and Ethan, who had always been so doting, now seemed to have eyes only for Arabella–as if she, Naomi, had simply faded into the background.
Watching Arabella being feted, Ruby’s eyes lit up with a sudden idea. She nudged Naomi, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “Naomi, your birthday’s coming up, right? Why don’t you ask Frank for a plane as your present this year?”
So Arabella thought she could mock them for not having a plane? Well, problem solved.
“What did you say?” Naomi was startled–she hadn’t expected Ruby to suggest that.
“Think about it. Frank has always adored you. If you ask him for it for your birthday, he’ll definitely say yes. Then Arabella won’t have anything to hold over us,” Ruby pressed on, urging her.
Naomi felt a flicker of temptation but hesitated.
Being constantly overshadowed by Arabella was torture. If Frank gave her a plane too, maybe she could reclaim some of her footing, some of her confidence.
But if he said no… the thought sent a chill of despair through her.
“Naomi, you’re not just going to take this lying down, are you?” Seeing Naomi fall silent, Ruby probed.
If Naomi just accepted this, how would she ever stand up to Arabella in the future?
Naomi steadied herself, biting her lip softly. “No. I’m not giving up. I’m not worse than her.
“Even if she’s the Hamiltons‘ biological daughter, she was raised in an ordinary family all these years–unlike me. I was brought up here. I can’t possibly be less than her.”
Ruby looked instantly satisfied. “Now that’s more like it. You’re miles better than her.”
“But about the plane… I’ll find a chance to mention it to Frank later,” Naomi said, still wary of the potential humiliation of a direct rejection. She planned to feel the situation out first.
“Why wait? Why not just ask now?” With that, Ruby spoke up, her voice bright and carrying across the table. “Frank, Naomi’s birthday is coming up. What are you planning to get her?”
“I already ordered her gift. You’ll all see when the time comes,” Frank replied easily.
“You ordered it already?” Ruby’s eyes sparkled with faux curiosity. “Is it a plane?”
“A plane?” Frank hadn’t expected that and couldn’t help but look surprised. “Why would you think I’d get her a plane?” Ruby launched into her explanation. “Because Naomi is learning to fly, but she doesn’t have her own plane.” “If she wants to fly, she can use mine anytime–she just has to let me know,” Frank clarified, his tone practical.
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Chapter 261 Sparks at the Dinner Table
“But that one’s still yours.” Ruby pushed, a hint of anxiety creeping into her voice. “Can’t you buy one for Naomi?”
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