HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 32: The birthday banquet (2)

Sister?

Arabella’s voice was neither too loud nor too secretive. It was a perfect blend of the two that did not expose both her enthusiasm and unwillingness.

The subtle sense of intimacy woven into her cheery tone caught the attention of everyone nearby, who immediately exchanged knowing glances.

’’That must be her.’’ they murmured among themselves.

There was only one person they could think of that the first young miss of the Kingston family would address so closely—the young miss of the Kingston family; the arrogant daughter of the late president from the rumors.

Words had spread in the days leading up to the birthday banquet, mainly speculating on her attendance. And now, witnessing the first young miss’s affection towards her, the guests’ curiosity only grew, eager to witness the interaction between the Kingston family’s two young misses.

In stark contrast to her outward display of affection, Arabella’s inner mood seethed with resentment beneath her cheerful mask.

Her gaze flickered over her first cousin, the ’orphan’ she had often dismissed in her heart. Yet, there was an undeniable and unsettling truth.

Her first cousin looked very stunning for her age, even more so than Arabella herself.

Skin so smooth and fair, almost porcelain-like, plump natural lips, with only the slightest gloss, and her first cousin’s hazel eyes gleamed with a brightness that resembled melted gold.

Arabella couldn’t help but recognize the budding beauty in her first cousin, even in this plain and simple blue dress—features that had yet to fully blossom due to her age. It was a bitter pill for her, who prided herself on her own beauty.

Deep down, Arabella instinctively knew that if her cousin had been older or closer to her own age, things would have been completely different.

She would no longer be able to flaunt the title of First Young Miss with pride—even if she hated such demeaning title. Her first cousin, with her undeniable elegance and natural grace, would take the true young miss title effortlessly, attending the very gatherings, banquets, and functions that Arabella herself had dominated for years as the first young miss.

’’Is that the Young miss of the Kingston family?’’

’’Haven’t you noticed? She seems prettier than the first young miss.’’

’’Really? She still seemed young....’’

’’.....’’

Arabella’s fingers shook lightly before she clasped Ayana’s hands warmly, "Thank you for coming to my birthday banquet, cousin." Her voice rang out with the same undeniable cheerfulness. "I’ve been eagerly expecting your arrival."

’’...’’

Wordlessly, Ayana lowered her gaze to their clasped hands and then stared at her second cousin, whose smile radiated sincerity, with light and welcoming words.

’As expected.’ She remarked inwardly.

To the rest of the eyes watching them, Arabella appeared as the perfect and gracious hostess, brimming with warmth for her dear cousin.

Only Ayana could tell the true feelings of her dear second cousin as someone who had practically grown up with the latter in her past life.

’Your eyes can’t deceive me, Arabella.’ She chuckled coldly in her heart. If Arabella thought that she hid her resentment well, then she was greatly mistaken.

Her gaze drifted past Arabella’s figure, landing on Lucinda for a fleeting moment. If Ayana were to point out Arabella’s thinly veiled hostility, she knew Lucinda would be disappointed at her dear daughter.

After all, Lucinda had meticulously groomed Arabella for this type of role, crafting her into the perfect young miss.

’But why spoil the fun so soon?’ Ayana thought, a subtle smile playing at her lips as she returned Arabella’s cheerful expression with one of her own.

"Cousin." Ayana’s voice was soft as she gently slipped her hands out of Arabella’s grasp. "Happy birthday." She offered a polite smile, her voice perfectly cordial, unlike Arabella’s.

The sense of distance was very obvious to the spectating guests.

Since her second cousin wanted to play the role of an elder sister, then she would allow the latter, only to tear away the facade, piece by piece, with a gentle touch that would expose the cracks in her composure.

’’....Thank you, sister.’’ Arabella’s voice and smile wavered for a fraction of a second. She hadn’t expected Ayana not to give her face and brush off her warm welcome so easily.

Especially not in the presence of others.

’’I understand cousin has been very busy with school and the Kingston corporation.’’ Arabella was quick to regain her composure, forcing her smile to remain intact. ’’I assumed that you won’t have the time to attend my birthday banquet if I sent an invitation.’’

’’Still, you came cousin even if a bit later than the suggested time in the invitation.’’ While speaking, Arabella had been paying attention to the guests around them, and as she expected, their murmurs immediately grew louder, expressing their displeased remarks.

’’The first young miss is right,’’ Someone whispered nearby.

"Coming late to her own cousin’s birthday banquet—how rude." another murmured, a hint of disdain in their voice.

’’Even if the young miss was apparently busy, she could have created time for her cousin.’’

’’Who knows if she’s truly busy? Isn’t the first young master the president now?’’

’’She’s just a thirteen-year-old, I assume? What could a young teen like her be busy with?’’

’’True.’’

"I heard the first Young Miss has always treated the young miss like her own younger sister." Another remarked sympathetically, prompting nods and murmurs of agreement.

*Murmur*

*Murmur*

The whispers and murmur steadily built, filling the room with an undercurrent of judgment directed only at Ayana. Arabella’s expression remained serene, her smile unwavering, as if oblivious to the quiet storm she had stirred.

’You should apologize, cousin.’ She almost couldn’t keep her smile from stretching too wide. Now that the guests were on her side, her first cousin would have no choice but to lower head rather than meeting her gaze head on so arrogantly.

No matter how composed she seemed, she would have no choice but to yield under this pressure of the judgmental stares and voices.

’Such farce...’

Ayana immediately saw through Arabella’s scheme with ease. People have always remarked that she was arrogant, but Arabella was the true arrogant one among them.

Someone like Arabella could never stand that someone shined brighter than her. Anyone who dared had to be humbled and lower themselves in her presence.

Just like what Arabella was expecting from her in this pressure.

But....

’You made a mistake, Arabella.’ Ayana couldn’t help but smirk, though it was a fleeting curl on her lips.

Someone like Arabella would never expect that she was mentally an adult who had crawled out from the depth of the darkness with a burning heart of revenge. Someone who had experienced much more than this nonsensical child’s play.

’Now that you’ve given me a reason, I can toy with you and destroy you to my heart’s content.’ Ayana’s gaze darkened with a hint of laughter and a sense of chill flickering behind her otherwise composed expression.

’I’m truly glad that you haven’t changed, my dearest Arabella.’ Perhaps her stare and silence was too long that she noticed the confusion on Arabella’s face.

’If you’re this predictable as ever, then dealing with you will be far simpler than I imagine.’

Ayana then casted a fleeting glance at Lucinda who stood among the group of madams with no intention of intervening or helping her out.

’I hope that uncle and your mother won’t disappoint me.’

’After all, I can’t be the villain without a good amount of evidence.’ She returned her gaze back to the confused Arabella with a slight curve on her lips.

’’It seemed I have done something wrong, Arabella.’’ Her voice was neither too loud nor quiet. Perfect for the surrounding guests to hear, should they stop their ceaseless chatters.

’’H-Huh?’’ Arabella’s smile stiffened, caught off guard by the calm directness. Where was her apology? Why was her first cousin still standing and looking at her as arrogant as ever?

"Do tell me, cousin," Ayana continued, her smile deepening as the murmurs around them gradually ceased to a pin-drop silence.

"Why I’m hearing such words from your guests here at this birthday banquet?"