Chapter 291 Lines Are Drawn
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Worried that Ruby might blurt out something truly unforgivable, Naomi’s expression grew stern. “Ruby, say less. Today really was your fault.”
“So that’s the reason you’ve been making things difficult for Arabella?” Alfred asked, his tone a mixture of disbelief and dawning understanding. No wonder Ruby’s comments always seemed to carry a sharp, personal edge.
Arabella knew that was only a partial explanation, but it hardly mattered to her.
With a cool, dismissive snort, Arabella stated her position firmly. “Don’t drag me into your pointless romantic dramas. If you want someone, go pursue them yourself. I don’t have any ‘men‘ for you here.”
As she spoke, her gaze shifted meaningfully from Ruby’s flushed face to Naomi’s.
Naomi’s heart gave an uneasy flutter. She instinctively looked away, unable to hold Arabella’s penetrating stare.
“Ruby, if you keep spouting this kind of nonsense, consider yourself unwelcome here,” Alfred warned, his voice leaving no room for argument.
‘Alfred, I’m family too,” Ruby protested, her eyes instantly welling up with hurt tears.
“If you still consider yourself family, then start acting like it. Otherwise, don’t blame us for drawing a line,” Alfred added, his patience clearly wearing thin.
‘Fine! Just wait until I tell my father. Let’s see what he has to say about this!” Ruby shot back through gritted teeth, resorting to a
hollow threat.
‘Go right ahead!” Alfred retorted with a cold laugh. “In fact, do you even dare to tell him? If not, I can make the call for you.”
With that, Alfred pulled out his phone as if to dial.
Given the nature of Ruby’s outburst, it was far from clear who would face repercussions if her father found out.
“1…” Ruby immediately faltered, her bravado crumbling.
She had only meant to intimidate Alfred, never expecting him to call her bluff so completely.
“Ruby, why don’t you go home and cool off first,” Naomi intervened, pulling Ruby aside and shooting her a look that screamed stop talking. “When you come back, you must apologize properly to Arabella, alright?”
“I still have to apologize?!” Ruby looked utterly scandalized.
“If you were in the wrong and said hurtful things, then yes, an apology is necessary,” Naomi insisted firmly,
She understood perfectly that she could not afford to side with Ruby in this moment.
Ruby stomped her foot in outrage. “Fine! Then I just won’t come back!”
With that final, petulant declaration, Ruby turned and stormed down the hallway.
The very idea of apologizing to Arabella felt like a profound humiliation.
1/3
11:44 am
Chapter 291 Lines Are Drawn
After Ruby’s departure, Arabella turned wordlessly and entered her room, her expression icy.
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“Arabella, Ruby doesn’t know any better. Please accept my apology on her behalf,” Naomi said hurriedly to the closing door.
Arabella paused and replied without turning around, “It’s irrelevant. But since you’re so willing to speak for her, do keep a closer eye on her from now on. Make sure she doesn’t appear in front of me again. After all, spending too much time around foolish people can be… intellectually draining.”
The door clicked shut.
Naomi’s face paled, then flushed with a wave of hot, frustrated anger.
This was all Ruby’s fault for losing control and saying things that never should have been voiced.
No wonder she had been so insistent on coming home with her after their flight lesson–she must have been planning this confrontation all along.
“Naomi, Arabella has a point. You should distance yourself from Ruby from now on. Don’t let her poor judgment influence you,” Alfred advised, his tone serious.
Feeling both insulted by Arabella’s ‘intellectually draining‘ remark and chastised by Alfred’s warning, Naomi seethed inwardly. Her resentment toward Ruby for being so recklessly impulsive grew even stronger.
“Naomi?” Alfred called again, noticing her distracted silence.
Snapping back to the present, Naomi forced herself to speak through gritted teeth. “I understand, Alfred. I’ll be more careful.”
“Good. You’ve always been accomplished and sensible. Don’t let Ruby undermine that,” Alfred said with an approving nod.
“Alfred, I think I’ll go rest now as well.”
“Of course. It’s been a long day. Get some sleep.”
“Okay,”
Once Naomi had retreated to her room, Alfred knocked softly on Arabella’s door.
“Arabella, are you alright?” he asked when she opened it.
Arabella offered him a small, genuine smile. “I’m perfectly fine, Alfred.”
“Uncle and Aunt are always so preoccupied with their work. They haven’t been able to give Ruby much guidance, and since we don’t see her often, we had no idea her temper had gotten so out of hand.” If they had known earlier, they would never have allowed Ruby to treat Arabella with such disrespect.
“Alfred, are you feeling guilty about this?” Arabella asked, finding his concern both touching and a little amusing.
Alfred’s expression grew more earnest. “If we had been more attentive, you wouldn’t have had to endure that
“I didn’t ‘endure‘ anything,” Arabella corrected gently. Ruby simply wasn’t capable of getting under her skin.
“If Ruby ever targets you again, don’t hesitate to put her in her place. You are her cousin, after all. And if she refuses to listen, tell Uncle directly and let him handle it,” Alfred advised firmly.
THE 2/3
11:44 am
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Chapter 291 Lines Are Drawn
“Alright, I understand,” Arabella agreed with a smile.
While she didn’t believe such measures would be necessary, she was happy to agree if it set Alfred’s mind at ease.
Satisfied, Alfred’s gaze drifted casually into her room and noticed her laptop was open. “Working on something?”
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“It’s for the pharmaceutical company. We’re preparing for a potential bidding process, so I’m drafting a report to get Matthew’s input,” Arabella explained.
“Why do you need his opinion?” Alfred asked, sounding puzzled.
“He’s a major shareholder. Besides, after the contracts were signed, the full two hundred million dollar investment was wired immediately. For a strategic decision of this scale, I believe it’s only proper to consult with him.” Since they had accepted his capital, it was right to accord him the corresponding respect.