Chapter 50

Elissa let out a frustrated sigh. "The company hasn't picked up any new projects lately. How are we supposed to pay Arabella back?"

Khloe hesitated for a moment,then blurted out the truth about losing to A.S. The moment Elissa heard it, her expression shifted. "Are you serious? Why didn't you just say no?"

Khloe's shoulders slumped. "If I refused, my influencer career would be over. Everyone online would turn against me!"

Elissa's patience ran thin. "So you think your online popularity matters more than the company actually staying afloat?"

Khloe could only lower her head, unable to argue back. Elissa's voice grew firm. "You'll need to come up with the money on your own.Don't expect to use any of the family's funds."

Khloe opened her mouth to protest, but Meagan interjected, "You're nowhere near as sharp as Elissa. Right now, all you care about is

your own career? If the company collapses, the whole family loses everything."

Though Khloe felt wronged, she realized they were right.

But the thought of being mocked online for everyone to see was unbearable.

Frustration boiled inside her.

Meanwhile, in the Gracebourne villa, Arabella stepped out of her room at the same moment Asher exited the study.

She offered a gentle greeting. "Hi, Asher."

He looked at her with a soft reply. "Hey."

It surprised Arabella to catch a hint of irritation on his face. She wondered what could have put Asher in such a mood.

She asked, "Is something on your mind?"

He answered with a shrug, "A little."

Arabella hesitated, but spoke up. "If you want to talk about it, maybe I can help."

Before Asher could answer, his phone rang

Dominick's voice came through the line. "Mr.Gordon, Ms. Hudson insists you pick her up yourself. Should I go instead?"

The mention of Ms. Hudson immediately caught Arabella's attention.

There was only one Hudson family of real significance, and their status trailed just a bit behind the Gordon family.

Asher replied with icy calm, "That won't be necessary."

He ended the call without another word.

Arabela felt a bit uncomfortable after overhearing the conversation.

It seemed clear the Hudson girl was acting out,but Asher had no patience for it.

Arabella guessed his mood probably had something to do with relationship troubles. She decided not to say more and was about to leave,when Asher asked, "Are you busy the day after tomorrow?"

Arabella took a moment to think it over. The day after tomorrow was set aside for the

second-to-last move in her plan for revenge.

Even so, her schedule would be clear by the time evening rolled around.

"I don't think I have anything planned," she answered.

Asher met her eyes. "Would you come to a banquet with me? You won't have to do anything special-just enjoy the evening."

"If you need me there," Arabella responded,hesitating for a moment, "I'll come."

A flicker of a smile crossed Asher's face, his deep voice as calm as ever. "Great."

He looked at her, his expression much gentler than before. "Get some rest."

She nodded."Alright."

Arabella returned to her room.

The following morning, she got up early to get ready for dance practice.

Coming out of her room, she found Asher sitting on the sofa. He wore a vest and looked especially sharp and handsome as he read the

newspaper.Sunlight poured in through the tall windows,casting a golden glow over him. He looked every bit the classic gentleman, as if he belonged in an old movie.

Noticing her stare, Asher set the paper aside and said, "You're awake. Let's eat."

"Alright."

They sat facing each other over breakfast,quietly sharing the space. Arabella glanced at him now and then, a strange feeling curling in her chest, something she couldn't quite name.

Asher caught her eyes and asked, "What's on your mind?"

His tone was softer than usual, his expression calm and open.

Arabella gave a small smile and replied softly,"It's nothing. I just realized it's been ages since I've actually shared a meal with someone like this."

A wave of warmth washed over her, reminding her what it felt like to be part of a family.

She had lost her parents young and left home

early. Life had always been a steady grind of work and little else.

Asher could not guess her thoughts, but a gentle smile tugged at his lips and his voice came out low and steady. "You'll get used to this kind of life."

Arabella muttered to herself, "Will l?" The warmth from the milk left her feeling unexpectedly comforted.

Once breakfast ended, Asher drove her to the Griridge Opera House.

With the show coming up soon, rehearsals only became more demanding.

Lailah tried every trick to catch Arabella in a mistake,but Arabella's dancing was flawless. By the end of the day, Lailah was fuming, unable to find a single fault.

That Daisy.How infuriating!

Lailah could hardly contain her frustration.

She was not the only one watching Arabella's every move. Elissa had been paying close attention too.

As Arabella walked off the stage, she spotted Elissa waiting nearby.

Elissa's face looked sour. She had hoped Arabella would slip up on stage and lose her spot,but there were no mistakes to use against her.

"Arabella." Elissa took a deep breath. "You're not even a dance student. Stepping on stage will only embarrass yourself. Do you really want to drag Daisy's name down with you?"

Arabella arched her brow. "If you're not worried about making a fool of yourself with your dancing,why should I be?"

Elissa was so upset she nearly choked on her words. This infuriating girl!

She triedto compose herself, forcing her tone to be calm. "Let me take your place," Elissa suggested. "Name your price. I'll pay you."

Elissa was desperate for this performance to revive her own reputation.

Arabella's face stayed blank. "Maybe pay me back for everything you sold from my house first," she said, then walked right past.

Elissa spun around and called out, "Arabella! My grandmother raised your father for so many years. You can't just be this cold to us!"

Arabella paused mid-step.

Not this story again.

Elissa's lips curled into a sneer, her gaze full of pride. "The truth is, I only learned recently that your father was not even my grandmother's real son. Even so, she still took him in. If it weren't for my grandmother, your father would be nothing, and you wouldn't even exist!"