Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 530

The New Year celebrations were always a lively affair.

Every household was adorned with lanterns and festive decorations. Even with your eyes closed, you could feel the thick, intoxicating atmosphere of the holiday.

This year, as usual, many from the branch families had come.

As the future matriarch of the main family, Ariana naturally became the center of attention for countless wives eager to curry favor. Of course, most were also trying to gauge what kind of person she truly was. After all, she was still so young—someone who might get carried away by a few compliments and lose her bearings. Typically, such a new matriarch would be the easiest to manipulate.

Unfortunately for them, Ariana was not so easily fooled.

Throughout the event, she smiled effortlessly, maintaining perfect poise in every conversation. Her demeanor was so measured that no one could quite pin down her true temperament, leaving many wary and uneasy.

Some vaguely recalled that last year’s Ariana had been quite different. It seemed this future matriarch was no pushover.

The wives of the branch family heads couldn’t help but think as much.

Old Mrs. Stone was thoroughly pleased with how well Ariana had handled her first time hosting the Stone family’s New Year celebrations, and her smile grew noticeably warmer. By the time the banquet concluded, the old lady openly praised Ariana for a job well done. Even the usually stern family patriarch showed rare approval, offering her a hint of goodwill.

Ariana couldn’t care less about the old man’s opinion.

Still, seeing the old lady’s satisfaction brought her a quiet sense of joy.

Khloe, standing nearby, chimed in with a smile, "See? Our Lambert has excellent taste, picking such a capable daughter-in-law at first glance. Ah, Jolene is truly blessed."

The old lady’s cheerful expression darkened instantly at the mention of that name.

There was no denying it—the name carried an indescribable air of tackiness.

Anyone hearing it might mistake the Stone family for some nouveau riche upstarts.

However, today being New Year's Eve, the old lady had no intention of spoiling the festive mood. She ignored her eldest daughter-in-law's remark and instead cast a calm glance at Ariana, saying, "Lucian, Kevin, and Carson are all tired. Ariana, why don't you take them home?"

Ariana nodded slightly. "Of course."

Khloe could tell from the old lady's expression that she was displeased, and the corners of her lips curled imperceptibly. She then pretended to casually glance in Jolene's direction.

As expected, Jolene's face was ashen. She stood awkwardly in place, like an outsider who didn’t belong.

Hugh, standing beside her, gave his wife’s hand a reassuring squeeze, silently telling her not to worry—he was there for her. Seeing her husband, Jolene finally felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders.

Khloe naturally caught this exchange. A mocking smirk played on her lips, as if she found the whole scene either amusing or contemptible.

Noticing that expression, Jolene stiffened once again.

Ariana observed everything. The moment Khloe had spoken those words earlier, she had already guessed her intentions. And now, that fleeting look of derision Khloe had shot at her mother-in-law hadn’t escaped her notice. But Ariana revealed nothing. She merely lowered her gaze slightly, her eyes narrowing just a fraction.

A short while later, Khloe also bid the old lady farewell, preparing to return to her own villa. But as she and Aster stepped outside together, they were met with the sight of Ariana waiting calmly by the entrance.

Even Aster herself had been careful not to provoke Jolene lately. Sure, Jolene was a pushover, but her son and daughter-in-law? They were anything but.

Who in their right mind would dare cross them?

Only Khloe, apparently, still had the nerve to pick fights.

Ariana had no intention of pushing things too far. After all, this was the Stone Family household—every little thing would reach the ears of the old lady and Old Mr. Stone sooner or later. She wasn’t worried about them thinking poorly of her, but she didn’t want her mother-in-law to suffer because of her actions. She knew how much Jolene cared about their opinions.

So for her mother-in-law’s sake, she had to tread carefully.

After saying this, Ariana turned and walked away with an icy demeanor.

Khloe stared at Ariana's retreating figure, her teeth nearly grinding in fury. "How outrageous!" she muttered bitterly under her breath. "Since when do the younger generation dare speak to their elders like this?"

Aster chuckled lightly. "Come now, sister-in-law. What can we do? She’s the future lady of the house, after all."

Khloe’s voice was sharp with disdain. "Future lady of the house, maybe—but not yet. The current head of this family is still the old madam. If she were to find out her granddaughter-in-law is throwing her weight around like this before even taking the title, who knows how she’d react?"

Aster scoffed. "React how? What exactly did Ariana say? All she did was ask us to look after her meek little mother-in-law. Take my advice, sister-in-law—that girl isn’t someone to be trifled with. Did you see how she managed to insult us just now without leaving a shred of evidence of disrespect? From now on, it’s best we steer clear of her. If she ever sets her sights on us, we’ll be in real trouble."

Khloe’s eyes widened in indignation. "Are you suggesting we, the elders, should step aside for some upstart junior?"