Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 626

Meanwhile, Georgia had made up her mind.

Convinced that Kendra and her daughter owed her own child a debt, she ruthlessly suppressed the last traces of guilt and unease lingering in her heart. She spent days at home deliberating how to broach the subject with Ariana.

She didn’t want Ariana caught between Lambert and Irene. After all, it was obvious that Lambert loved Irene. And as for the position of the Stone family’s matriarch—well, that rightfully belonged to her daughter. As for those stepchildren, she reasoned, her kind-hearted girl would never be the sort of cruel stepmother who mistreated them. Compared to Ariana’s cold and detached nature, Irene would undoubtedly be the better choice to raise them.

With Irene in charge, there’d be no worries about the children’s upbringing.

The more Georgia thought about it, the more convinced she became.

A few days later, she called Ariana, asking to meet. Ariana had no idea what her mother wanted this time. Though swamped with work, she agreed after some hesitation—perhaps partly out of some vague, unspoken guilt on her own part.

Maybe it was that same guilt that drove Georgia to prepare an elaborate spread of Ariana’s favorite dishes before her arrival.

Ariana was stunned.

Coincidentally, Kiara also returned home that day. Taking in the lavish table setting, she glanced around the living room and gasped in delight.

"Sister Ariana! You never visit—why didn’t you bring Lucian and the kids?"

Ariana shrugged helplessly. "Too much hassle. What, you miss them more than me?"

Of course, she couldn’t admit she’d assumed her mother just wanted a quick chat—certainly not a full-course meal. She had expected to stay only briefly before leaving. Who could’ve predicted this?

To be honest, Ariana was also somewhat surprised.

She had wondered what special occasion it was today.

Kiara stuck out her tongue playfully. "Missed you, missed you—but I missed my little nephew even more, hehe." With that, she pulled up a chair and sat down.

Gilbert happened to be away on a business trip abroad these past few days, so he wasn’t home.

Kiara had actually timed her visit, knowing her uncle wouldn’t be around, intending to keep her aunt company. After all, she worried her aunt might feel lonely on her own. But she never expected her aunt to invite Ariana over. Not that she was disappointed—quite the opposite.

She was thrilled her aunt had finally come around, realizing she could reach out to Ariana and her daughter when she needed companionship.

Little did Kiara know, however, that her smile wouldn’t last much longer.

But for now, blissfully unaware, she was simply happy—happy with the warm, familial atmosphere.

Georgia had spent the better part of the afternoon preparing the meal. As she carried out the final dish, she caught sight of Kiara chatting and laughing with Ariana. A slight frown creased her brow, a pang of melancholy and irritation flickering in her chest. She couldn’t help thinking that the scene should have been with her own daughter.

Kiara was a sweet girl—if she and Irene had grown up together, they would’ve made wonderful sisters.

But Georgia didn’t dwell on it. She hadn’t forgotten why she’d invited Ariana over today, so she snapped out of her brief reverie after only a couple of seconds. Even with Kiara here, it wouldn’t interfere with her plans. She trusted Kiara’s understanding nature—the girl would surely comprehend.

So she made no effort to send her away.

At the dinner table, Kiara picked up a piece of lamb, her eyes curving into crescents. "Auntie, your cooking just keeps getting better and better."

Ariana also took a bite and smiled in response.

Kiara's heart fluttered with unease. She was genuinely worried that Ariana might clash with her mother-in-law again or that another misunderstanding would arise.

Georgia, however, remained oblivious to the storm brewing beneath Ariana's icy demeanor. She pressed on, undeterred, "Ariana, do you happen to know a girl named Irene?"

Ariana let out a derisive snort. "A *girl*? You mean a thirty-year-old *girl*?"

Georgia's expression darkened instantly.

Truth be told, calling someone in their thirties—or even forties—a "girl" wasn’t uncommon. Context mattered, of course. Ariana didn’t actually believe thirty was old—after all, she was in her twenties herself, and thirty wasn’t far off. But that tone? Pure provocation. She could practically recite her mother’s next words in her sleep.

And it was already grating on her nerves.

She hadn’t expected Georgia to summon her home today just to talk about Irene. *Pathetic.*

But she was still too young, too naive.

Ariana assumed her mother had fallen for some sob story from Irene—maybe that she’d been wronged or framed. Her "ever-trusting" mother had probably taken it at face value and was now here to reprimand—no, *enlighten*—her.

What came next, however, left Ariana speechless.

She had underestimated her mother.

Georgia’s voice was steady, deliberate. "Ariana, what I’m about to say may not sit well with you. But as your mother, there are things I *must* make clear."

Ariana’s face remained impassive, her lips curling into a cold, mocking smile. "By all means," she drawled. "Do enlighten me."