Reginald glanced at her, nodded slightly, gave a faint smile, exchanged a few brief words with the gallery director, and then strode over to where they were standing.Emily suddenly halted, lightly adjusting her dress.Arabella also paused, puzzled. "Why did you stop all of a sudden?" she asked.But at that moment, Emily became flustered as Mr. Reginald approached, unable to pay attention to Arabella's question, her eyes bright as she gazed at him.Before Arabella could speak, Emily enthusiastically extended her hand. "Hello! I'm Emily, nice to meet you. And what should I call you?"Reginald only gave her a cold glance, not taking her hand. "I'm here to see Arabella," he said calmly.Emily looped her arm around Arabella's, flashing a bright smile. "Oh, she's my dearest friend, we share everything, even our birthdays. So, whatever you need to tell her, you can tell me too!"Suppressing a laugh at her friend's boldness, Arabella held back.Reginald evidently had no interest in wasting t
Chloe kicked into the air, her eyes widening in astonishment as she looked at the man who appeared out of nowhere.Arabella caught a whiff of a familiar men's cologne, fresh and mild with a hint of tobacco. She looked up to see Reginald.She quietly let out a breath, a hand against her pounding heart, and smiled as she asked him, "How did you get here?"Reginald's face remained expressionless, but his eyes were as icy as his tone when he glanced coldly at Chloe and said to Arabella, "I finished the call, didn't see you, asked the waiter, and found this place. Are you okay?"Arabella shook her head.Chloe reacted quickly, abandoning her previously arrogant demeanor and standing obediently, head bowed. She said softly, "Reginald, I wasn't trying to kick Arabella. My shoe was uncomfortable, I just wanted to check it. You misunderstood me."Reginald sneered, "I'm not blind."Chloe paused for a moment, her lips pursing as if about to cry. She said, "Reginald, please don't accuse me wrongly
Molly fell silent for a moment, appearing somewhat melancholic. "Mom knows, dear. I just wanted to gift you a wedding dress, regardless of whoever you may eventually marry. I'd still give you one."Arabella felt both touched and pained, as if a cat were scratching at her heart. She managed a forced smile. "Thank you, Aunt Molly, but I really don't need it."Her pace of loving someone was slow. Once she loved, it was difficult to step away.As for remarriage, that seemed distant.Molly grew a bit upset. "Don't call me aunt. Even if you divorce Reginald, I'm still your mother. If you can't be my daughter-in-law, then be my daughter. I designed these, spent several nights perfecting them. If you don't want them, it's disrespectful to me."Tears welled up in Arabella's eyes. Deeply moved, she was close to tears. Unable to refuse, she sat beside Molly and earnestly reviewed the designs.Preferring a simple and elegant style, she chose a sleek, white, floor-length gown. The fabric appeared
"Arabella heard a saccharine voice beside her ear, 'Hey, Arabella, are you here for the photoshoot too?'Arabella felt a tingling sensation on her scalp as she turned towards the voice.Three feet away stood Chloe, already impeccably made up, adorned in a yellow chiffon gown, smiling brightly at her.The makeup room was bustling with people, but Arabella wasn't particularly keen on engaging. She simply nodded lightly in response.However, Chloe had no intention of leaving. She sneered, 'Arabella must have grown up in some remote woodland. I bet this is your first photoshoot, isn't it?'Her voice was anything but lowered, and everyone in the makeup room heard it.All eyes turned to Arabella.Their stares were quite conspicuous—they were looking at her as if she were some country bumpkin.Arabella was thoroughly infuriated.Her grandparents had, in fact, worked in the city when they were young. Upon retirement, due to her grandfather's illness, the doctors recommended they move to a hea
Arabella felt as if she had been slapped hard in a public place. Her cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and anger.Taking some time to compose herself, she replied, "I didn't break my promise. Reginald just returned from overseas yesterday, and today is the weekend. The court is closed today."Northridge said coldly, "Next Monday, I will have my assistant check Reginald's schedule. I hope Miss Arabella won't break her promise."Arabella murmured her agreement in a low voice.Adding a meaningful tone, Northridge continued, "I have a high regard for Reginald, but if he displeases me, he can be sacrificed. I have another son, though his business acumen is slightly inferior, his character is ruthless and decisive. He won't be distracted by emotions and will listen to me. Our elite family is different from yours—we have a big business to run. Business is war; either you become a king, or you perish, with no room for father-son or brotherly sentiments. If Reginald can't be the king,
Reginald cradled Arabella in his arms and led her to where his car was parked. With one hand, he opened the passenger door and gently placed her inside.Arabella cried intensely, her face pale, tear streaks lining her distraught expression. Anyone who saw her would feel profound sympathy.Seated in the driver's seat, Reginald leaned over, fastening Arabella's seatbelt and embracing her. He whispered softly in her ear, "Be strong; I'll take you to the hospital right away."Arabella, consumed by grief over her grandmother, couldn't comprehend his words. Her mind was filled with longing for her departed grandmother.Reginald swiftly drove towards the hospital.Upon their arrival, he parked the car and hurried to open Arabella's door. As she stepped out, her legs almost gave way—she could barely stand, let alone walk.Deciding to lift Arabella, Reginald briskly carried her towards the hospital ward.Upon reaching the room, Arabella's mother, Margaret, was already present, covering her fac
The funeral car began to move slowly.Arabella clutched the door handle, crying bitterly, walking out of the village.As they reached the main road, and the hearse accelerated, Arabella had to let go. Her outstretched hand slipped from the cold metal door.It felt like the sky was collapsing on her.Arabella was overwhelmed with grief, not knowing what to say—she just desperately reached out to grab the slowly disappearing vehicle. She held back her tears, running frantically, helplessly chasing after the hearse carrying her grandmother.Reginald, concerned that Arabella might get hurt, rushed over to stop her.She was in utter despair, her legs giving way, collapsing on the ground.Reginald gathered her into his arms, holding her tightly, as if she were a child.Arabella was too weak to stand; she reached out with her hands, as if by sheer willpower, she could pull back the departing funeral car. But it had irrevocably vanished into the distance.Her eyes blurred with tears until it
"Arabella struggled in agony, desperately clutching Robert amid the flames. 'Robert, Robert!' she screamed, tears streaking down her cheeks.Her cries startled Reynald. Seeing her closed eyes and anguished expression, he furrowed his brow slightly, then reached for tissues on the bedside table. Gently, Reynald wiped away the tears from Arabella's face.He silently observed her for a moment, then enveloped her in his arms. Reynald softly caressed her back, consoling her in a low voice as he had done before.Yet his heart felt like it was wedged with jagged stone, throbbing in pain. Reynald found himself instinctively comforting Arabella even as she suffered torment in her nightmares.Reynald's dark lashes cast shadows beneath his eyes, adding a somber hue to his handsome countenance, mirroring the storm brewing within.In recent days, Reynald had forsaken everything, steadfastly staying by Arabella's side throughout her recovery. He believed he was doing right by her.However, at this