HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 31: The birthday banquet (1)

A hushed silence settled over the madams, Lucinda and Arabella, as the atmosphere somewhat turned awkward from those words. The madams exchanged glances, their eyes instantly drifting to the madam who had spoken just now.

’’It’s been a while since I’ve seen the young heiress. I can’t help but wonder if she took after the late Madam Kingston.’’ The same madam added with a smile, as though she was not feeling the pointed stares.

’’.....’’ The hushed silence still remained, in contrast to the noisy and merry atmosphere in the banquet hall. Arabella’s smile almost faded completely as she almost glared at the madam responsible for the awkwardness.

On the side, the madams were perceptive to the strangeness of her smile and somewhat pitied her for not escaping the claws of this particular madam.

Madam Hitson from the Hitson family.

A red-head known for her oddness with Lucinda for many years, even before their respective arranged marriages.

At the sight of her at the birthday banquet, Arabella had already expected that she would pick a fight with her mother, but she never anticipated the comparison of her own beauty with that of her first cousin’s.

Unlike the previous years, Arabella had hardly crossed paths with her first cousin over the past year. Their frequent hang-outs had suddenly stopped, leaving a sense of distance between them. Just like what happened to her parents, her first cousin had also stopped interacting with her and her family.

The only exception was her worthless and sick elder brother, who became the new president of the Kingston corporation out of nowhere.

’’If sister-in-law were alive, she would be proud as a mother to hear that, Madam Hitson.’’ Lucinda chimed in, glancing at her unresponsive daughter before stepping in to dispel the awkwardness.

’’Many have always remarked that Ayana resembles brother-in-law, but I always believed that she took after her mother. Sister-in-law was definitely a fine woman.’’ She finished with her elegant smile.

’Fine, but not beautiful.’ Some madams, including Madam Hitson, took note of her words.

’Although she wants to put an image of a caring aunt, she can fool others, but not me.’ Madam Hitson inwardly sneered at Lucinda, who has always been very hypocritical in her eyes.

She and Lucinda’s family were of equal standings until their arranged marriages to their respective husbands. If it weren’t that her husband wanted her and their daughter to deepen their relationship with the Kingston family and help with the family business through Lucinda and the first young miss Kingston, she wouldn’t have bothered to stay around them.

’’The late Madam Kingston was certainly a gorgeous woman. I can only imagine how handsome and beautiful her children would be like in the future. Speaking of which, I heard some rumors of the first young master staying with the young heiress and her brother like a new parent and guardian.’’

"Well, Noah has always loved those children as his own."

"Really? Then he must be equally close to the first young miss. He even became the new President of the Kingston corporation. How enviable, such harmony among the Kingston children. You should be proud of having your eldest son as the president now. Perhaps my family could stand to learn a thing or two from them."

’’Children are unique in their own ways, Madam Hitson.’’

’’You speak correctly, Madam Kingston. Just like the beauty of the young heiress and the first young miss. They also remind me of those times when we were younger.’’

’’.....’’

The rest of the madams exchanged knowing glances. Their gazes shifted between Lucinda and Madam Hitson and silently observed the veiled words passing between them.

Meanwhile, Arabella stood by her mother’s side with a smile, though not as bright as before. This madam who has always deemed her mother as a thorn in the eyes had completely ruined her mood.

Today was her day. A day meant for her to shine like the star she was and would become in the future.

However....!

Her happy mood was completely ruined!

Thanks to this bothersome Madam Hitson, many would start comparing her to her first cousin unconsciously. Something that she would definitely hate if she wasn’t the winning one among them.

None of this would have happened in the past since her first cousin was much younger and not as matured as herself.

The only rumors of her first cousin were about her spoiled and arrogant behavior that she and her mother had secretly schemed to boost her own image as a proper young miss of the Kingston family.

Now that her first cousin had distanced herself from them and was growing up into a proper young lady without their influence, the comparing rumors couldn’t be suppressed any longer, just like now.

She was a first young miss while her first cousin was a young heiress. No first or second was added to her young miss title, showing that her first cousin was the daughter of the head of the family, and also the true young miss.

There was a significant gap between them, and an obvious difference in their status.

Something that she had been tolerating ever since.

’’Arabella.’’

’’Arabella!’’

Her mother’s sharp voice broke through the haze of her thoughts, and Arabella blinked, snapping back to the present.

"Are you okay?" Her mother’s worried gaze met hers, soft and searching. Arabella felt the warmth of her mother’s hand squeezing hers, and only then did she notice her own fingers had been clenched tightly, leaving faint red marks on her palms.

’’Are you unwell?’’

’’Oh dear, is the first young miss okay?’’

’’Do you need to rest somewhere, first young miss Kingston?"

’’I am fine, mother.’’ Arabella mustered a smile, first for her mother and then for the gathered madams, who appeared to express their concerns—even though most of their faces held only polite facades.

"Thank you Madams, but I’m quite alright."

It seemed she had been too lost thoughts to realize that she had curled her fingers tight in the presence of others, which was not good as the host of the birthday banquet.

"Pardon me for not responding sooner to your words, Madam Hitson.’’ Arabella turned her gaze to the woman responsible for her dull mood. "My cousin and I...we’ve somewhat drifted apart." Her voice then softened with a dejected smile. "I suppose you could say we’ve both been busy with our lives.’’

’’I hope you all can understand, madams.’’ She directed her words to the rest of the madams. This should also serve as a warning to them not to ask personal questions.

’’We understand, first young miss.’’

’’Perhaps the fault lies elsewhere.’’

’’My two daughters were the same at one point, first young miss.’’

’’You kids will be able to get over it.’’

Whether those words were true or false, the madams all chimed in with their consoling words and remarks. Madam Hitson, on the other hand, remained quiet and did not offer her own.

’Like mother, like daughter. You’ve taught her so well, Lucinda. Always acting like the pitiful and understanding elder.’ She scoffed inwardly and almost wanted to tear off the smile on Lucinda’s face.

Earlier, Lucinda had cut her off when noticing the strangeness of her daughter. She didn’t want to lower herself like these other madams, and it wouldn’t look good on herself if her next words were like that of her previous ones.

She would come off as an adult bullying a child much younger than her, and she also had to think of her husband and their daughter; the true reason why she came to the birthday banquet.

’’Thank you, Madam.’’ Just like when the madam Hitson had yet to speak a word, the atmosphere returned to normal with the madams complimenting Arabella and the Lucinda; the outstanding mother and daughter pair.

This moment lasted until....

*murmur*

*murmur*

The sudden burst of the chatters rippled through the banquet hall grabbed the attention of the madams, Lucinda and Arabella.

For Arabella, however, was not a pleasant sight. Her expression almost twisted as she caught sight of someone she hadn’t wanted to see at her birthday banquet.

’’Go welcome her first, Bella.’’ Her mother whispered, her voice barely audible, yet firm enough for her own ears.

’’Mother?’’ She looked up in confusion.

’’Go, Arabella.’’ Her mother pushed without looking at her. ’’You are the first young miss of our Kingston family. Show everyone the true young miss, and learn to control your emotions. There will be times that I, your mother, cannot assist you.’’

’’....Yes mother.’’ Arabella lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of expectation settle upon her shoulders. Steeling herself, she squared her shoulders and stepped forward in her silver gown, her beautiful smile carefully plastered in place.

Her mother was right. This was her chance to demonstrate where the power was within the Kingston family.

Not her orphaned cousins.

Not her worthless sick elder brother.

Certainly not outsiders eyeing the family business.

Her family had the true power.

Her family was the true Kingston family.

And she was the true young miss!

Arabella’s steps became more confident as she reached her destination.

’’Hello Sister!’’ Her voice rang out with a bright cheerfulness at her dear first cousin.