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Arabella couldn’t help feeling a bit exasperated. She simply reached over and served some food into Florence’s plate. “Mom, let’s just eat.”
It suddenly made sense why Matthew had said some things were better left to time. Certain situations didn’t hinge on your explanation–they depended entirely on whether the listener chose to believe you.
Florence smiled knowingly. “You eat too. Have some more.”
Arabella lowered her head and focused on her meal, finishing quickly.
“Mom, Dad, I’ll head back upstairs now.”
“Alright, go rest.”
Watching Arabella leave, Florence chuckled softly. “That girl… Do you think she might be feeling a little shy?”
“Perhaps,” Jonathan replied gently, his eyes warm.
Meanwhile, Arabella simply felt relieved. She quickly returned to her room.
Noticing a missed call from Colton on her phone, she called him back immediately.
“What’s the update?” Arabella asked.
1
“We found out someone filed a malicious complaint. The authorities are now conducting a review, so it’s not that we can’t get the license–it’s just going to be delayed,” Colton explained, frustration evident in his voice.
“Do you know who did it?” Arabella’s tone turned cold. She’d suspected foul play–now it was clear someone was deliberately obstructing them.
“We traced it. The person who filed the complaint was paid to do it. He didn’t know the client’s identity, only that their last name was Clark.” Colton ventured a guess, “It might have been Freya.”
Remembering the hospital confrontation, Arabella nodded. “It’s likely her.”
Back then, Freya had mocked Edward and tried to stop him from starting the company. Now that Edward was moving forward, she was using underhanded methods to block his path. What kind of mother did that?
“Get this resolved quickly. I want the company to launch on schedule,” Arabella said coolly.
“Don’t worry,” Colton assured her.
Arabella added, “If you need anything at all, reach out anytime.”
“Understood,” Colton replied.
After hanging up, Arabella’s expression darkened.
Freya!
You just got out of the hospital and you’re already causing trouble. Maybe life at home has been too comfortable for you.
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11:27 am
Chapter 308 An Apology
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As the sun set that evening, Arabella, having rested all afternoon, was woken by noise from downstairs. “Do we have guests?” she murmured.
She changed and went downstairs. Seeing Ruby in the living room, her eyes narrowed slightly.
Ruby had kept a low profile for a few days after Alfred’s reprimand, so her visit to Cloudrise Manor was unexpected.
“Arabella,” Alfred called when he saw her. “You’re up.”
“Mhm.” Arabella walked over and sat on the sofa. “What’s everyone talking about? Sounded lively.”
“Uncle just returned from his business trip overseas and brought back gifts. Ruby brought them by,” Ethan explained.
“Ah,” Arabella understood.
Ruby picked up a neatly wrapped box. “Arabella, this is something Dad specifically picked out for you. He said he’s been too tied up with work to visit and asked me to apologize on his behalf.”
“Uncle and Aunt are busy and travel often. I understand,” Arabella said, accepting the box.
Ruby nodded. “Exactly. They just got back and are already off to another conference, so they sent me to deliver these and their apologies.”
“The gesture is appreciated. Arabella won’t take offense,” Florence said gently.
Ruby agreed, “That’s what I told Dad too. Arabella is very understanding–she wouldn’t mind.”
Arabella raised an eyebrow. Was Ruby actually complimenting her? And hearing the word “understanding” from Ruby’s mouth felt distinctly odd.
Alfred looked at Ruby. “Arabella being understanding is her own graciousness. You still owe her an apology.”
“What?” Ruby said reluctantly. “I brought all these gifts over. Do I still have to apologize?”
“These were bought by Uncle. What does that have to do with you?” Alfred stated firmly. “Besides, a gift is a gift, and an apology is an apology.”
This was something she owed Arabella directly, and it needed to be settled.
“Alfred, am I even your cousin?” Ruby complained, her temper flaring.
She’d stayed home for days, not daring to come over. Finally, she saw a chance to smooth things over without a direct apology, but it still wasn’t working.
“Because you are my cousin, I’m giving you this chance. Otherwise, I wouldn’t need your apology–you’d simply be told not to come here,” Alfred said, his patience wearing thin.
It seemed Ruby still hadn’t grasped the seriousness of her actions.
Hearing this, Ruby’s face paled. She didn’t want to apologize, but she was terrified of being banned from Cloudrise Manor entirely.
“Ruby, when you’re in the wrong, you need to make it right. Apologizing to Alfred is the correct thing to do,” Florence said sternly,
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11:27 am P M M
Chapter 308 An Apology
observing Ruby’s hesitation.
Recognizing a mistake and correcting it was a matter of basic character.
With even Florence not taking her side, Ruby clenched her jaw and muttered, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
“Who are you apologizing to?” Alfred asked, unsatisfied. Her tone lacked any real sincerity.
Florence looked puzzled. “I thought she had offended you?”
Was that not the case?
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“Not me. Last time, she was rude and disrespectful to Arabella, saying things that were completely out of line,” Alfred said disapprovingly. “That’s why I called her out. If she doesn’t apologize properly to Arabella, she shouldn’t be welcome here.”
Hearing this, Florence also felt displeased. “Ruby, even if your parents haven’t been around to guide you, you were raised alongside Naomi. Didn’t you learn anything positive from her?”
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