Chapter 275
“Isabella, watch your mouth,” Mrs. Ward scolded, but her eyes held nothing but affection for her daughter.
Isabella sat down next to her mother, chin lifted, giving Arianna a look that was all attitude. “Since my brother’s interested in you, I guess you’re not really an outsider anymore. Dinner’s almost ready, the kitchen must be a madhouse. Why don’t you go help bring out the food p>
Her tone dripped with challenge. Mrs. Ward’s smile faded. “We don’t make guests help in the kitchen. Arianna is here as our guest. Stop bossing her around p>
Bruce, sitting across from them, shot Isabella a sideways glance. “If she’s not an outsider, maybe you should go help instead p>
Isabella’s face turned stormy. “Why are you all like this? I wasn’t being mean. I just said we should treat her like family. What’s so wrong with helping out in the kitchen? Why is everyone picking on me?” She sounded close to pouting. This was Arianna’s first time in their house, and somehow both her usually doting mother and her brother were siding with this newcomer.
Feeling wronged, Isabella slid over to sit beside her father, clinging to his arm. “Dad, did you hear them p>
“Isabella, you really were out of line. Guests shouldn’t be made to help in the kitchen,” her father said gently.
Even her dad was siding with Arianna. Isabella’s frustration nearly boiled over, but with her father’s words, she didn’t dare argue back.
Just then, Arianna smiled and spoke up. “I actually know how to make a few dishes. If you don’t mind, I’d love for you to try my cooking p>
Mrs. Ward looked surprised and delighted, and before anyone could protest,
Arianna was already on her feet and heading into the kitchen.
When the rest of the food came out, Arianna brought her dishes to the table as well. “This is sweet and sour fish. I noticed xylitol in the kitchen, so I used that instead of sugar t tastes he same, but it’s much better for anyone watching their blood sugar p>
She gestured to a plate of stir-fried broccoli, looking at Mrs. Ward. “I made this one especially for you. I heard your heart isn’t the best. Broccoli is full of sulforaphane, which helps fight inflammation and protects the heart p>
As she spoke, Bruce looked a little uncomfortable, but Arianna didn’t notice. Mrs. Ward blinked in confusion. “My heart isn’t the best p>
Arianna nodded, then turned to Bruce. “Bruce mentioned it to me p>
Mrs. Ward looked at her son. Bruce gave a sheepish little laugh. “Didn’t the doctor
say you had a bit of arrhythmia? That counts as a heart thing, right p>
She saw right through him. It was obvious he’d made up her “heart condition just to get Arianna to come over. Mrs. Ward didn’t blame Arianna, though. If anything, she was annoyed at her son. With his reputation, what nice girl would really want to marry him?Arianna was clearly not after their money, and she seemed genuinely Kind Mrs. Ward liked her more by the minute. And honestly, these two dishes were so thoughtful.
She couldn’t stop smiling. “Arianna, you really put in so much effort. Thank you, dear p>
Arianna waved it off, saying it was nothing at all.
The atmosphere at the table was cozy and cheerful. Isabella, on the other hand, was fuming. Not only had she failed to trip Arianna up, but now her own parents liked Arianna even more. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
Her gaze landed on the fancy cutlery on the table, and a sly look flashed in her eyes. She picked up her fork and knife, announcing, “Let me give this a try. As she reached out, her hand “accidentally” knocked over her glass of red wine. The wine spilled across the table, quickly spreading toward Arianna’s side.
Isabella put on an innocent face. “Whoops, sorry, my hand slipped. Since you’re so
helpful, why don’t you clean it up? It’d be such a shame to ruin this beautiful tablecloth p>