I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel 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?”

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.”

Bruce, sitting across from them, shot Isabella a sideways glance. “If she’s not an outsider, maybe you should go help instead.”

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?”

“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.”

Mrs. Ward looked surprised and delighted, and before anyone could protest, Arianna was already on her feet and heading into the kitchen.

She couldn’t stop smiling. “Arianna, you really put in so much effort. Thank you, dear.”

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.

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.”