Chapter 2 Back Home

• “What else would I want?”
• The guy stared as though he was looking at an idiot. After that, he turned around and walked toward the helicopter.
• At the same time, in the Southall residence.
• Luxurious decorations were everywhere to celebrate someone's birthday.
• Shandie, who was wearing a beautiful gown, was surrounded by her friends and was praised.
• “Shandie, your gown is so beautiful. It's as though you have the entire galaxy stitched into your gown.”
• “Is that the limited edition gown from this season? How did you manage to buy it? I can't even rent it! Your dad is so nice.”
• “Happy birthday, Shannie. I heard you just signed the movie contract with Mr. Sleight. I bet you'll be the most popular actress this year. Oh, don't abandon us when you become famous, okay?”
• Shandie couldn't help grinning proudly after hearing all that praise. The glow in her eyes shone with glee. “Thank you, girls. Ah, I better go check and see if the cake is here.”
• Shandie made her way back into the mansion and dragged her mother, Cindy Moore, right out via another exit. After that, she softly asked, “Mom, have you heard anything from the assassins? It's my twentieth birthday, and I don't want others to know that there is a yokel from our family who has been kidnapped and sold.”
• Cindy sweetly helped Shandie adjust the edge of her gown. “I haven't heard anything, but that is a good sign. Don't worry. There's no way she can make it home. Even if she comes back, she is still just an idiot who grew up in a distant village. What can someone like that really do, anyway?”
• Shandie kind of agreed with her mother, and suddenly, she prayed that the idiot would actually return.
• I'll look even more graceful if someone uncouth is here.
• “Oh, no! Mrs. Southall,” reported the housekeeper while running toward them. “The Nightshires' helicopter just landed on our field.”
• “The Nightshires?” asked Shandie. Her eyes shone. “Mom, did you and dad invite Vinson to my birthday party?”
• Cindy was actually surprised to hear what the housekeeper said as well.
• It was true that the Southalls owned one of the best companies in the country and was at the top of Jadeborough.
• However, the Nightshires were globally recognized and they were in another league. Vinson was the heir of Nightshire Group, so the Southalls didn't have what it took to invite him to their daughter's birthday party.
• Maybe the business deal the two companies are collaborating on got Vinson to drop by?
• “Let's go check things out,” suggested Cindy. She was curious as well, but more than that, she was pleasantly surprised.
• If the Southalls were to get acquainted with the Nightshires, the former would never need to worry about anything ever again.
• By then, all the socialites of the city had already gathered near the field.
• When Shandie showed up, the ladies surrounded her.
• “Shannie, you actually managed to get a member of the Nightshires to show up? Wow, you're so incredible.”
• “A member of the Nightshires is here to celebrate Shandie's birthday. That practically makes her the princess of Jadeborough.”
• Shandie grinned calmly when she heard those words, but the glee in her heart had spread out.
• Vinson must've fallen for me when we met at the party last month. Yes! I am about to be the honorable Mrs. Nightshire.
• Just then, the door to the helicopter slowly opened.
• A woman in a tattered outfit showed up and hopped out of the helicopter as everyone stared.
• She had a thin waist, but her face was dirty with dirt all over. There was no way to see who she was, and her hair looked as though it hadn't been washed in a month. In short, she looked disheveled.
• “How...?”
• Everyone turned their attention to Shandie. Some of them had something against her, so they dissed, “Shannie, is this your VIP? A beggar?”
• Shandie was instantly infuriated. She walked to the stranger and demanded, “Who the hell are you? Why are you here at my birthday party?”
• “Birthday party?” repeated Arielle. She recognized the proud woman right away.
• That's Shandie Southall, the girl my aunt, Cindy, adopted.
• Arielle also knew the truth, though. The private detective she hired told her that Shandie was actually the illegitimate child her father, Henrick Southalls, had with Cindy.
• His actual daughter is missing and could be dead, but he's here throwing a party for his illegitimate child... Oh my, how ridiculous!
• “Who am I?” said Arielle. She looked right at the woman in front of her and answered, “The owner of this house...”
• “You...”
• Shandie was about to lose her temper when Arielle calmly added, “Is my father.”
• The look on Shandie's face froze immediately. The guests, on the other hand, grinned as they sat back and watched the show.
• Shandie finally came around. In a surprised tone, she asked, “Y-You're Arielle Moore?”
• That country bumpkin?
• Cindy reacted faster than most. She stepped forward and asked, “Arielle, is that really you? We've been waiting for you for so long. Oh, my poor child. You're finally home.”
• Arielle grinned and asked, “Aunt Cindy, how has life been?”
• She might have been grinning, but the insult in her tone was obvious.
• My mom died under suspicious circumstances, and her sister married her husband. My gosh, a brother-in-law marrying his sister-in-law? How crazy can things get? It's so obvious that those two have something up their sleeves.
• The guests whispered among themselves. “I heard that the previous Mrs. Southall is actually the current Mrs. Southall's sister.”
• “That must be the legitimate daughter, Ms. Moore, who was kidnapped a decade ago.”
• “Back then, the Southalls were known as the Moores. This place belonged to the Moores too, and Mr. Henrick Southall was just the guy who married into the family. They only changed the name after the former Mrs. Southall passed away.”
• Cindy was embarrassed to hear those comments. She cleared her throat a little and said, “I'm just glad you're back. Come, let me take you inside, so you can clean up. What happened anyway? Why are you all dirty? I'm sure your life in the poor village must've been difficult.”
• At a time like that, Cindy felt compelled to remind everyone that Arielle was from a poor village. It'd be too merciful if I didn't do that.
• Arielle was about to refute when someone with a deep voice suddenly called out. “Hey.”
• Everyone turned their attention to the owner of that voice and was flabbergasted when they saw the person hopping out of the helicopter.
• That's Vinson Nightshire! The guy who can topple the entire world's economy is actually here!
• “Mr. Nightshire? A-Are you here for my birthday party?” asked Shandie in a surprised tone as she stepped forward.
• Happiness shone in her eyes, and a hint of shyness showed up on her cheeks.
• At first, she thought that Vinson would simply send someone to congratulate her. She never imagined that he would show up in person.
• Everyone stared at Shandie with envy burning in their eyes.
• She might be adopted, but her life will be set if she marries him.
• However...
• “Who are you?”
• Vinson frowned and stared curiously at the woman who talked to him.
• “Pfft...” Some guests couldn't stop themselves from laughing aloud.
• “What is this? I thought that Mr. Nightshire is here to wish Shandie a happy birthday. Turns out that he doesn't even know who she is.”
• Shandie was stunned on the spot. Her face turned pale, then red with embarrassment.
• Fortunately, Cindy reacted much faster. She stepped up and eased things for her daughter. “Mr. Nightshire, it's our honor that you visit us. Today is my daughter's birthday. That's why she mistook the situation and thought that you are here to wish her. I guess you're here to talk to my husband about the business project the two companies are collaborating on instead. He's inside, so please go in for a drink.”
• The guests stopped staring with distaste glowing in their eyes.
• Getting Vinson to show up to talk about business was a rather amazing feat as well.
• Yet, Vinson once again responded with...
• “Do I know you?”
• Cindy's arm stiffened in the air.
• Err... Mr. Nightshire... doesn't recognize me either?
• Some spectators, who had been suppressing their laughter, lost control and snickered even louder.
• Those two are really jokers.
• Cindy felt so awkward that she wanted to die.
• He doesn't recognize me either. Then, why is he here?
• That was when Cindy suddenly recalled something important.
• The person everyone, including herself, looked down on, Arielle, had just hopped out of Vinson's helicopter.
• Arielle showed up too suddenly, and she was in such a terrible state that Cindy didn't put her and Vinson together until moments ago.
• Does she know him?
• That thought had just popped into her mind when she saw Vinson circling around her and walking toward Arielle.