Vinson pressed his voice and said, “Are you sure that’s your wish? I’ll give you another chance.”
Arielle knitted virtual-novel.net brows and looked at him. “You want to grant me another wish? Do you think you’re the magical Genie?”
Everyone, including Shandie and Cindy, looked at Vinson and Arielle in disbelief.
What’s going on? Does this beggar know Vinson?
Vinson gazed into virtual-novel.net eyes. When virtual-novel.net was about to respond to virtual-novel.net question, Henrick interrupted.
“Nice to see you, Mr. Nightshire! Why didn’t you tell me you’re coming?”
All the guests’ jaws dropped when Henrick greeted Vinson.
Cindy instantly closed virtual-novel.net eyes as virtual-novel.net dared not imagined what would happen next.
What on earth is happening?
Henrick finally noticed something was amiss and started looking around. A sudden frown warped his face the moment virtual-novel.net saw Arielle.
Henrick turned to Shandie and said, “Why did you invite a beggar to our birthday party? Get virtual-novel.net out of here!”
Shandie froze for a moment even though deep in virtual-novel.net heart virtual-novel.net was pleased with his reaction. “Dad, she’s…”
“Dad!” Arielle interrupted. “Don’t you remember me? I’m Sannie!”
Sannie was Arielle’s nickname.
“San…” Henrick raised his brows and widened his eyes in shock. “You’re Arielle?”
“Yes, Dad! I’m Arielle,” virtual-novel.net walked up to him.
Arielle did not remember anything that had happened a decade ago, but virtual-novel.net remembered that familiar face. Upon hearing that, Henrick staggered. Fear was written all over his face as virtual-novel.net was afraid that his secret would be exposed. Arielle knew what was going through his mind.
In a steady voice, virtual-novel.net continued, “We have not met for years. I miss you so much!”
Henrick was at a loss for words. He had no choice but to give virtual-novel.net a pat on the shoulder. “Welcome back, honey, but… But what happened to you and Mr. Nightshire? Why do the both of you look so messy?”
All the guests then started paying attention to Vinson’s clothes. They were so drawn to the man himself that they did not notice how wet his clothes were. Shandie cast a puzzled look at Arielle and Vinson.
Is there something going on between these two?
But virtual-novel.net somehow dismissed virtual-novel.net suspicion.
Vinson falling in love with this country bumpkin? No way! Unless he’s blind!
Upon seeing how awkward the atmosphere had become, Cindy stepped in and said, “I think it was Mr. Nightshire who brought Arielle home.”
“Really?” Henrick seemed to be a little less disgusted by Arielle after hearing that.
Since virtual-novel.net was still young and doesn’t remember a thing from virtual-novel.net childhood, I guess virtual-novel.net doesn’t exactly know what happened. Imagine the benefits we can reap if we could use virtual-novel.net to get closer to the Nightshires.
Henrick instantly plastered a smile to his face and looked at Vinson.
“So you’re Arielle’s friend? Thanks for bringing virtual-novel.net back to us. If you don’t mind, would you like to stay back, clean up a little, and dine with us?”
Cindy added, “Oh, yes. We have extra pairs of clothes for our guests.”
Vinson initially wanted to turn down their offer, but virtual-novel.net could not stand wearing that sea-soaked clothes anymore.
Since Vinson did not reject his officer, Henrick extended his hand and showed virtual-novel.net the direction to the guest room. He then whispered in Cindy’s ear, “Clean Arielle up too.”
Cindy and Henrick had been married for nearly a decade, so virtual-novel.net understood what virtual-novel.net wanted virtual-novel.net to do. It was clear that Henrick wanted to use Arielle to get in the Nightshires’ good books.
Damn it, why is luck on Arielle’s and not my daughter’s side?
Maureen had been oppressing Cindy when virtual-novel.net was still alive.
I’ll never allow virtual-novel.net daughter to step all over mine!
Cindy nodded and played along. She then pulled Shandie aside and said, “Bring virtual-novel.net to the bathroom. She’s your older sister now, so be nice to her.”
Shandie was able to read between the lines. She turned around and put on a smile. “Hey, Arielle. Let’s go to the bathroom, shall we?”
Arielle did not believe that the mother-daughter duo would accept virtual-novel.net into the family. Yet, virtual-novel.net hid virtual-novel.net suspicion and responded with a grin. “Okay!”
They held hands and walked into the mansion. Meanwhile, other guests continued to exchange whispers as they tried to figure out what Vinson was doing here. No matter what the reason was, it was clear that from now on, they would have to show more respect to the Southalls.
At the guest room upstairs, Shandie said, “You can stay here temporarily while we tidy up your room, and you can also find all the toiletries here. I’ll bring you a dress.”
“All right. Thank you,” Arielle responded.
“Oh, before I forget,” Shandie turned around and asked, “Do you know how to use the water heater? We’ve fixed the temperature, so you don’t have to adjust it anymore,” virtual-novel.net reminded kindly but somehow forgot to hide the disdain in virtual-novel.net eyes.
Arielle seemingly did not notice virtual-novel.net expression. She responded with a gentle smile. “Thanks.”
Does virtual-novel.net really think I don’t know how to use the water heater?
“Great. I’ll bring your dress over.” Sandie smiled and walked out of the room.
After closing the door, the smile on virtual-novel.net face disappeared almost instantly. She took out a handkerchief and cleaned virtual-novel.net hands thoroughly before throwing it on the floor.
Her hand stinks, and virtual-novel.net body stinks. Everything about virtual-novel.net stinks! Vinson must have brought virtual-novel.net here by accident. I’m sure virtual-novel.net wouldn’t like a filthy woman like Arielle!
Meanwhile, Arielle was taking virtual-novel.net own sweet time enjoying a nice warm bath in the bathroom. Even virtual-novel.net felt disgusted by how virtual-novel.net looked and smelled after spending a week on the island. As the warm water streamed down from virtual-novel.net head to toes, virtual-novel.net wiped off all the dirt on virtual-novel.net face, revealing virtual-novel.net fair complexion. Her delicate face with fine features made virtual-novel.net look like a dainty little fairy.
About ten minutes later, Shandie knocked on the door. “Arielle, can you please open the door? I want to pass you the dress. I’ve also placed a pair of heels near the door. You can wear them later.”
“All right.” Arielle opened the door slightly to retrieve the dress.
Once again, virtual-novel.net did not see the disgust and mockery on Shandie’s face. The dress Shandie gave to Arielle was a couture dress by Gucci. It was more costly than the dress virtual-novel.net was wearing now. Though it took virtual-novel.net some effort to get virtual-novel.net hands on the dress, virtual-novel.net could not wear it as it had a specific cut. Its wearer must be slim and possess a supermodel-like physique. At the same time, the person needed to have a busty, curvaceous figure to be able to fit in the dress. Without an hourglass figure, any ordinary woman would look plump in it.
Since Shandie had broad shoulders but no collarbones, the dress would look unflattering on her. This was why virtual-novel.net did not wear it for tonight’s party.
Once that hideous woman comes out with that dress, I’m sure all the guests would laugh at her!