Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 488

Gwen was an introverted soul.

Perhaps due to her deep-seated insecurities, she spoke very little, so little that she often faded into the background. If it weren’t for Ariana taking the initiative to talk to her, Gwen might have gone the entire day without uttering a single word.

This was also one of the reasons Aster disliked her.

She was just too...

How should one put it?

She lacked the social finesse expected of someone in her position. In families like theirs, marrying into an alliance wasn’t just about sealing a business deal—it also meant actively cultivating connections for one’s husband. That was the true value a woman brought to such a marriage. A mutual benefit, really.

But Gwen, after all, was an illegitimate child. On top of that, the education she’d received was worlds apart from that of a proper socialite. Naturally, she couldn’t measure up.

And so, her situation spiraled into a vicious cycle.

The three of them sat in a French restaurant, chatting and laughing over their meal. It wasn’t until Gwen excused herself to the restroom that Fanny finally dropped the topic they’d been discussing and turned to Ariana with a knowing look.

"Ariana," she said, "You brought Gwen along today for a reason, didn’t you?"

Ariana nodded. "Yes."

Fanny shrugged, a smug grin playing on her lips. "Out with it, then. Need my help?" She couldn’t resist adding, "I knew it. I *am* indispensable. See? Now you realize just how important I am."

Rolling her eyes at Fanny’s self-praise, Ariana replied, "It’s nothing complicated. I just want you to spend more time with Gwen—at least enough to give the impression that the Castro family values her highly, especially in front of the Stone family’s second branch."

Fanny blinked, baffled.

"What’s your game here?"

Her curiosity was genuine. With anyone else, she might have held back—prying too much could come off as pushy and rub people the wrong way. But with Ariana, she didn’t have to worry about such formalities. And as expected, Ariana didn’t seem the least bit annoyed. Instead, she even shared a bit of her plan.

She explained that her plan was to make the Second Branch realize Gwen still held value within the Castro family. Naturally, the Second Branch would then try to manipulate Gwen into serving their interests.

But Gwen would refuse.

This would inevitably anger the Second Branch.

They might even resort to drastic measures. And Ariana intended to seize that exact moment to expose the precarious position Gwen was in under the Second Branch’s control.

When the truth came out, the Castro family—being Gwen’s natal family—wouldn’t stand idly by. The Stone family, on the other hand, would be left in an awkward position. Not that Ariana wanted to embarrass them. Rather, she wanted Gwen to use this opportunity to declare that, for the sake of family ties, she wouldn’t seek a divorce—but Finley had wounded her too deeply. Moreover, Collin’s birth mother was already pregnant again. Unable to endure any longer, Gwen would announce her decision to separate from Finley.

She would raise Alvin alone.

As for the separation, she would remain within the Stone household, avoiding any move that might give outsiders ammunition to attack the family.

Fanny listened in stunned silence, blinking at Ariana before finally exclaiming in admiration, "Ariana, I never realized just how brilliant you are!"

The woman smiled politely. "Well, well. Fancy meeting you here, Miss White."

Ariana’s brows furrowed slightly.

Fanny, however, didn’t bother with pleasantries. A cold laugh escaped her lips as she retorted, "I wonder if Miss Olson’s memory is failing her. If I recall correctly, I made it quite clear last time that you should address her as *Mrs. Stone*. Or… did you *conveniently* forget again?"

Had she stopped there, Madelyn would have undoubtedly fired back with a biting remark, mocking Fanny while subtly dragging Ariana into it—after all, plenty of married women weren’t addressed as "Mrs." Insisting on the title could easily come off as pretentious.

But Fanny didn’t stop. Her follow-up made it crystal clear that Madelyn had a history of this very *oversight*—and that she was being called out on purpose.

Sure enough, Madelyn’s expression darkened dangerously.

She cast a slightly sullen glance at Fanny, suddenly realizing the girl seemed more quick-witted than during the banquet two nights prior. Little did she know, Fanny was currently reveling in smug satisfaction. After returning that evening, she'd spent hours agonizing over her failure to assist Ariana before finally devising the perfect retorts for when she next encountered Madelyn.

Who would've thought fate would smile upon her so soon!

To meet her again today of all days! Naturally, Fanny spared no effort in unleashing the verbal arsenal she'd meticulously prepared.

Madelyn studied Fanny briefly before shifting her gaze to Ariana. Then, with a sudden light laugh, she said, "How remarkable that a simple slip of the tongue from our last meeting still lingers in Miss Fernandes's memory. I see my words must have truly offended you that evening. That was my mistake—please accept my apologies for any impropriety."

Fanny: "..."

At this moment, Ariana couldn't help narrowing her eyes. Previously preoccupied with her own troubles, she hadn't paid Madelyn much attention. But now it was clear—this woman was no pushover.