Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 509

Christmas had just passed, and the New Year was fast approaching.

For a prominent family like the Mu household, the New Year was anything but ordinary. As in previous years, the Stone Family residence buzzed with frenzied activity. Ariana, the future matriarch of the family, was even busier than most—this year, she was in charge of all the preparations. Meanwhile, her husband, Lambert, was occupied with corporate affairs and managing the Lamari Group. With both parents swamped, their three children were left in the care of their grandparents.

In stark contrast to the Stone family’s lively bustle, the White Family household was much quieter. The White family had always been small in number, and their only child was a daughter whose relationship with her parents had grown strained over the years. As a result, the White family's residence felt particularly desolate.

Fortunately, Kiara had finally returned for the holidays, bringing a touch of warmth to the otherwise subdued atmosphere. She sat on the living room sofa, chatting with little Lucian over a video call. The boy adored his aunt, and the feeling was mutual, so much so that they frequently video-called each other. At one point, Ariana had even joked in exasperation that Lucian seemed fonder of Kiara than his own mother. Kiara, of course, took great pride in that, which only deepened her affection for her nephew.

Earlier that day, a business associate of the White family had dropped by for a visit. With the New Year approaching, such social calls were customary.

Georgia, an orphan, had no family of her own to return to. As for Gilbert, his only remaining brother—Zoey’s father—was estranged from him, making any family reunion impossible.

And so, the White Family household remained quiet, save for the occasional murmur of conversation.

Georgia glanced at Kiara, who was sitting on the sofa video-chatting with her grandson, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

Yet, in the end, she let it be.

Gilbert, on the other hand, looked pleased. He felt reassured seeing how well Kiara got along with Ariana.

With a faint smile, Georgia walked over to her husband and murmured, "Sigh, Ariana didn’t even come home for the New Year. It’s all my fault. If only I’d given you more children back then—or at least a son—things wouldn’t be like this now."

Gilbert sighed at his wife’s self-reproach. "Ariana will come around eventually. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a son or a daughter—we still have Kiara, don’t we?"

Georgia pursed her lips. "But Kiara will marry out someday."

Gilbert raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t she say she’d have her husband move in instead? Has she changed her mind?" As he spoke, he cast a glance toward Kiara from across the room.

Georgia shook her head wearily. "She never said that. But if she doesn’t take over the White family, what’s the point of having a live-in son-in-law? Ah, it’s all my fault."

As she spoke, she stole occasional glances at her husband’s expression.

She knew he was consumed by guilt, convinced he had failed their daughter.

His displeasure when she’d pressured Ariana to relinquish her claim to the family business still lingered in the air. She had been treading carefully ever since. So why bring it up again today? Because she couldn’t believe that, even during the festive season, Ariana hadn’t returned home, not once. Surely, resentment must have taken root in her husband’s heart.

Now, Ariana was at odds with her.

It seemed her daughter no longer cared for her as a mother.

And so, Georgia had set her mind on finding a new heir for the White family—someone obedient, someone who would listen.

The timing just hadn't been right before. So Georgia had temporarily held her tongue. But now, with Jane about to be released from prison, she brought it up again.

She'd been pulling strings inside all this time, ensuring Jane's early release would go through in the coming days.

In their youth, he'd defied his parents' objections to marry her, a woman who brought no advantage to his inheritance of the White family. His devotion spoke volumes.

As for Ariana, his daughter with Georgia, he naturally doted on her even more.

Yet over the years, he had somehow been swayed by his wife’s sympathy and affection for Jane, gradually—and inexplicably—neglecting Ariana. Looking back now, he realized he had truly failed as a father.

Georgia fell silent.

She glanced at Gilbert, then deliberately shifted the topic, speaking softly, "Jane is about to be released... in just a few days."

Gilbert’s expression darkened instantly.

Georgia continued gently, "After all... Jane is still your second brother and sister-in-law’s child."

A flicker of complexity passed through Gilbert’s brow. After a long pause, he shook his head. "Once she’s out, transfer some money to her. Consider it our final duty to my brother." He believed he had already gone above and beyond.

Georgia was taken aback. Instinctively, she protested, "You’re just going to leave Jane to fend for herself?"

A coldness flashed in Gilbert’s eyes. "What else should we do? Did she spare a single thought for us when she did what she did? We raised her as our own—and how did she repay us?"

Tears welled in Georgia’s eyes. "She was deceived! If she had known the truth, I’m sure she would never have acted that way. Have you forgotten how obedient and sweet she was as a child? None of what happened was truly her choice."