Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 481

After being carefully nursed at home for two or three days, Ariana had fully recovered.

Coincidentally, tonight was the birthday banquet for Angelo, the mayor's son. Ariana could now attend alongside Lambert. However, Stefan couldn’t make it—he had already left the country with Allison and their daughter to seek medical treatment, and they likely wouldn’t return for at least another week or two. So, Ariana invited Fanny to join her instead. Since Fanny was now the future daughter-in-law of the Castro family, Damon’s plus-one naturally had to be her.

The banquet wasn’t overly extravagant, but it wasn’t small either. At the very least, it was well-organized. Despite being the mayor’s son, given the current anti-corruption crackdown and the former mayor’s imprisonment for embezzlement, keeping a low profile was essential.

For the occasion, Angelo had reassumed his public persona as the carefree young heir. Though his other identity might shock people, his outward image remained respectable. After all, he was a graduate of a prestigious foreign university—even if he wasn’t exactly a top scholar, with his status, it wouldn’t matter if he were a fool. His overseas diploma was merely for show.

Fanny quietly slipped over to Ariana’s side and pulled her aside. “Ariana,” she whispered, “is everything settled now?” She knew Beverly had been sued by the Stone family, but the details were unclear. She had wanted to visit Ariana, but her parents had firmly refused, worried about the Castro family’s reaction.

At the time, Fanny had wanted to snap, 'Who cares what they think?' But her parents’ stern glares had silenced her, leaving her no choice but to wait for updates. To make matters worse, Ariana’s phone had been unreachable. If not for the news about Beverly’s lawsuit, Fanny would still be sick with worry.

Seeing the genuine concern in Fanny’s eyes, Ariana smiled and shook her head. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Fanny nodded slightly before continuing, "Glad you're alright. I knew it—Beverly was behind this again. Honestly, what's going through that woman's mind? Instead of living her life in peace, she's dead set on making yours miserable." Take this incident, for example. After her divorce from Arnold, she returned to the Lawrence family. Any sensible person would focus on rebuilding their life.

After all, it's a rare chance for a fresh start.

And Ariana isn't the type to hold grudges or go out of her way to destroy someone.

But Beverly just wouldn’t let it go—she was hell-bent on targeting Ariana.

Honestly, it’s like she’s begging for trouble.

Thankfully, Ariana is sharp. If she had actually fallen for Beverly’s trap this time, how could she ever hold her head high in the Stone family again? The mere thought of it made Fanny’s blood boil. She had even vented a few complaints in front of Damon, half-expecting him, as Beverly’s cousin, to take offense. Maybe then she could finally call off their engagement!

But Damon didn’t react at all.

It was as if the Beverly Fanny kept mentioning had nothing to do with him.

Left with no choice, Fanny could only sigh in resignation, lamenting her own misfortune.

After a brief silence, Ariana finally responded, "Who knows? But I think this lesson should be enough to make her think twice." This time, when Beverly was imprisoned, Ariana didn’t lift a finger. The sentence—a few years for intentional poisoning—was purely by the book.

She didn’t interfere.

As for what Beverly would do after her release, that was no longer Ariana’s concern.

As long as Beverly stopped coming after her.

Ariana wasn’t the type to crush her enemies completely. As far as she was concerned, the matter ended here.

Just as the two were deep in conversation, a woman suddenly approached. She had a flawless figure and striking beauty—the kind that stood out even among the most attractive. Her demeanor carried an air of quiet sophistication, a subtle intellect shining through. Yet... both Ariana and Fanny were certain—they had never seen this woman before.

The moment those words left her lips, Ariana froze.

Well, well.

No more "Mrs. Stone." It looked like trouble was brewing.

Ariana's intuition was indeed correct. After Madelyn called out to stop her, the woman stepped back in front of Ariana with deliberate poise. "Miss White," she began, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "Do you know what it means to be a substitute?"

Fanny had always been the carefree type, but even she could sense the tension thickening in the air. Without hesitation, she grasped Ariana's hand protectively and positioned herself as a human shield between the two women.

"Miss Olson," Fanny said firmly, her usually cheerful voice now edged with steel, "Ariana made herself perfectly clear earlier. If you're just here to make friends, consider it mission accomplished. Now, if you'll excuse us—"

A smirk played at the corners of Madelyn's meticulously painted lips. "Miss Fernandes seems to have misunderstood," she purred, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "I bear no ill intentions."

"No ill intentions?" Fanny's laugh was as sharp as broken glass. "Then why are you blocking our path?"

Sun merely shrugged, the picture of wounded dignity. "I only wished to exchange a few words with Miss White."

The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as Fanny's expression hardened. "That's Mrs. Stone to you," she corrected icily. "Basic manners, Miss Olson."

Ariana glanced sideways at her fiercely protective friend, equal parts touched and amused. Yet when her gaze returned to Madelyn, her dark eyes held unspoken questions. If even oblivious Fanny could detect the hostility radiating from this woman, the animosity must be palpable indeed.