Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 610

Irene still refused to speak.

This drove Nathan crazy with worry. He pressed on, "What on earth happened? Someone must have bullied you. Tell me, sis. I want to see who has the nerve to mess with the Harper family's young lady!" Ever since they were kids, Nathan had always stood up for Irene like this.

It had become second nature to him.

At first, he only did it to show his adoptive parents how well he treated his sister, but over time, it turned into a habit.

And it worked—both his adoptive father and mother had grown increasingly fond of him.

Of course, what he didn’t know was that Chairman Harper genuinely approved of him, which was why he felt so pleased. Though Irene wasn’t his biological daughter… he had long regarded her as his and Kendra’s child. As for Kendra, she remained exactly as she had always been.

Her satisfaction with Nathan wasn’t because he doted on Irene.

It was because she admired his temperament and his natural talent for business. At her core, Kendra was a reserved woman.

She didn’t have strong likes or dislikes. As long as someone met her expectations, she was content.

She treated Nathan and Irene with absolute impartiality.

Only Nathan himself believed there was a difference between them. After all, for him, Irene was their biological child.

Seeing her brother’s furious expression, Irene bit her lip, her eyes instantly welling up. Her voice hoarse, she slowly recounted what had happened—how she and Madelyn had run into Lambert and Ariana. As she spoke, tears like pearls rolled silently down her cheeks.

It was heartbreaking to watch.

Irene choked out, "Why…? I even chose to study abroad just to avoid her, yet she still thinks I’m trying to ruin her marriage? Do you know, brother, she even went out of her way to make trouble for Madelyn. It’s all my fault. If Madelyn weren’t my friend, she wouldn’t be treated so poorly in the Stone family. It’s all because of me..."

Her sobs were so wretched that Nathan couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

However...

Lambert?

Nathan was momentarily confused by his sister's words. After finally processing the information, he paused before asking, "You and Lambert..."

Irene glanced at her brother, then replied with a self-deprecating smile, "We... were each other's first love."

Nathan was stunned.

How could he not know about this? If Irene had been in a relationship with Lambert, why hadn't she objected when their adoptive mother arranged her marriage?

As if reading his thoughts, Irene tugged at the corner of her lips. "I was born into the Harper family. Arranged marriages are part of the package—my duty, considering all the resources I've enjoyed over the years. So I broke up with Lambert then." Her eyes dimmed as she spoke.

Nathan's mouth twitched at her words.

While most corporate marriages were strategic alliances, his sister's case was different—she'd actually come out ahead. Not to speak ill of his former brother-in-law, but the man had been strikingly handsome and tall, easily Lambert's equal in appearance. His business empire wasn't anything to scoff at either. Nathan remembered their adoptive mother telling Irene back then:

"If you're not willing, we can call it off."

"I'll think of something."

Hearing that, Nathan had been green with envy, convinced more than ever that their mother favored her only biological daughter above all else. Other wealthy families would still push their daughters into advantageous marriages, no matter how much they doted on them—at least for the family's benefit.

The mere memory of Ariana flaunting her three children and Lambert’s affection in front of her made Irene’s teeth grind in fury. Never in her life had she despised someone so utterly.

This time, she wouldn't let Ariana off the hook again.

The thought made Irene's dark eyes gleam once more, her icy gaze brimming with venomous malice.

...

Unaware of Irene's brewing schemes, Ariana had just sent Shawn, Lucian, and the other children upstairs to play. Now, she sat on the living room sofa with Lambert and Stefan, preparing to discuss some matters.

Stefan already knew what she wanted to ask.

Before Ariana could even speak, he cut straight to the point: "It's about Jerold."

Her eyes instantly turned frosty.

Lambert glanced at Ariana, then subtly covered her hand with his own. The sudden warmth of his broad palm against her skin made her look up—only to meet his gaze, soft with helpless indulgence.

His steadying look silently commanded her not to wallow in sorrow.

These past few days, Ariana hadn't slept a single peaceful night.

Lambert knew.

Every time he saw her jolt awake from nightmares, his heart ached.