MTLNOVEL Chapter 571: Congratulations! I am happy for you.
She waited for him to ask. But even after making it obvious, his question never came.
He simply turned to her and shook his head. "I believe you." Arwen raised her brow at his word, and he detailed it. "You said Lady Foster has adored you always, treated you like a daughter. There is nothing to ask if you are meeting her for lunch."
Her lips slowly pulled up, and she nodded, "Yes, Aunt Beca has always treated me as her daughter. So, when she asked me out for a meal, I couldn't refuse." Her gaze stared at the road as a subtle crease appeared between her brows. "But there is also another reason for it."
She mentioned, and Aiden glanced at her, waiting for her to continue.
"Another reason?"
She nodded, humming softly. "Last, when she called to ask me out, it felt like she wanted to meet me with some intention in her mind. Like she had something that she wanted to talk to me about."
She paused and then added cautiously. "For a moment, I thought it might be an attempt of hers to give Ryan another chance to apologize to me. But …" she shook her head and denied that option, " … then that's not it. She didn't ask me to visit her. Instead, she told me to meet her outside so that I wouldn't get uncomfortable."
She was lost thinking what Beca might be asking her out for when she felt a familiar warmth envelope her hand over the gear.
When she turned to glance at him, he said, "It's fine. You will know when you meet her tomorrow. Given how you say she adores you, she won't do anything that will make you upset or put you in any harm."
"I know." She didn't fear that. She knew Beca wouldn't do anything that she wouldn't like.
But then what else could make her make her sound like that?
***
The next day —
Arwen was, as usual, working at her desk when Mia entered her office after knocking at the door.
"Ma'am," she politely called, before informing her, "It's time. The car is waiting for you."
Arwen glanced up at her before looking down at her watch. Noting the time, she nodded. "Oh, thanks for reminding," she then pushed a file to her and said, "I have reevaluated the plan, but there are still a few changes needed. Pass it to the marketing people and ask them to work on it."
Mia took the file and nodded.
Meanwhile, Arwen closed the system at her desk and stood up, grabbing her bag.
"Ma'am, you have a meeting scheduled later."
She nodded. "I remember. Don't worry, I will be back before that."
With that, she walked out of the room. Mia watched her before following her suit with the file in her hand.
Sometime later, Alfred pulled the car up to the fine dine restaurant —Yellow Orchids.
"Madam, we are here," he announced.
Arwen was scrolling through her phone. When she heard him, she looked out to check, and her lips curled up. "Thank you, Alfred," she said, ready to open the door for herself. "You can wait. It might take time, but I will let you know once I am done."
Alfred nodded, watching the lady step out of the car and then head inside the restaurant. Once she disappeared, he drove the car away from the entrance to the parking zone.
Meanwhile, inside the restaurant, Arwen looked around for an attendant.
Finding one, she smiled, and the woman stepped forward to assist her.
"Ma'am," she greeted politely before asking, "Are you looking for a table?"
Arwen shook her head, "No, I already have a reservation in my name. Can you check it for me and lead the way?"
"Sure, ma'am," the attendant nodded. "Can I have your name?"
"Mrs. Arwen Winslow," she responded.
And the woman smiled. "Give me a moment, I will check it for you." She then headed to the desk and looked into the system.
Arwen waited there, but soon a voice interrupted her.
"Arwen!"
It was Emily, and she could tell it at once just by the voice.
Why was she running into her so much recently? First at Lustrée, then Aurora, again at Sky Luxe mall, and now even here.
What kind of rubbish coincidence was it?
"How does it feel to see your plan falling?" Emily remarked, walking to stop close enough to her. While her tone sounded smug, her eyes still held the same envy it has always held.
Arwen had no energy for her today. So, she ignored it.
"It must be devastating, right?"
"Excuse me?" Arwen didn't know what she was talking about. But hearing her chirp so close to her ears felt irritating. "Emily, believe me, I have no idea what you are talking about. And to be honest, I don't care about it as well. If you feel I am devastated and you are happy about it, carry on. Go and celebrate, I don't mind."
She caught the attendant returning and turned to gaze at her.
The woman in uniform smiled and said with utmost politeness. "Madam, you have booked a private room. Allow me to lead your way."
Arwen smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
With that, she was ready to walk away when Emily stopped her.
"Seems like you don't know about it yet, Arwen," she said, continuing right after. "Fine, I don't mind informing you, rather, I take pride in doing so. After all, even after you deliberately tried to sabotage my plans, I still succeeded. Aunt Catrin adopted me, officially."
Arwen's steps halted momentarily.
Seeing her stop suddenly, Emily smirked behind and repeated. "Yes, you heard it right," she said, adding, "Aunt Catrin really adopted me into the Quinn family as her daughter. Lawyer Willow visited us last night and made me sign the papers. By now, it must be notarised. So, now I am no longer soon-to-be but officially the heiress of the Quinn family."
Arwen had her back to her so she couldn't see her expression. But she could imagine the devastation. "So, tell me, how do you feel? You tried to discredit me at the mall so that Aunt Catrin would refuse to adopt me. But regardless, she took me in. You might be —"
Before she could complete, Arwen turned to look at her. Her eyes hold no malice and her lips genuinely turned up in smile. "Congratulations, Emily! I am happy for you."