Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 639

Though utterly baffled by the situation, Gwen had enough wits about her to keep silent.

She glanced between Irene and Madelyn, wisely holding her tongue. Best to see how Ariana responds first, she thought.

Ariana’s answer, however, was far more decisive. With a cool glance at Irene—whose gentle smile didn’t quite mask the disdain in her eyes—and another at Georgia, whose expression had tightened slightly, she said evenly, "No, I have plans today. You all go ahead without me."

Madelyn took one look at Ariana’s reaction and knew she’d struck a nerve. A smug satisfaction curled inside her.

Putting on an exaggerated show of warmth, she protested, "Oh, come now! What could you possibly have to do in your condition? Weren’t you free just a moment ago? And running into Auntie Georgia is such a rare coincidence—why not join us? I hear she’s quite the expert on pearl and diamond necklaces. I was actually hoping to buy one and could use her advice."

Then, with feigned indignation, she turned to Irene. "Irene, I had no idea you were so close with Auntie Georgia. You and Ariana must be quite tight in private."

Irene shook her head with a light laugh. "We just happened to meet and found we got along well."

Their little performance unfolded smoothly, but Ariana remained impassive.

Gwen grew increasingly uneasy, her gaze flickering toward Ariana. It was clear to her now—Madelyn was deliberately targeting Ariana. As for this "Auntie Georgia," she couldn’t quite read her, but one thing was certain: Ariana was about to be cornered.

Yet Ariana’s expression gave nothing away.

Pressing her lips together, Gwen decided the wisest course was to stay quiet and observe. She had always preferred neutrality, even if her sympathies leaned slightly toward Ariana. Most of the time, she avoided taking sides altogether.

She knew Ariana well enough—this kind of detachment wouldn’t offend her. Even if the third branch of the Stone family eventually took over, Ariana wouldn’t hold it against her.

But if something were to happen to the third branch, causing the Stone family inheritance to fall to the eldest branch, then her actions might earn the eldest branch's resentment. So even if not for herself, for the sake of her son, she wouldn’t recklessly take sides. She would remain neutral.

Ariana hadn’t spoken a word, but her piercing gaze, cold and detached, occasionally swept over Georgia.

Georgia felt as though she were sitting on pins and needles.

It never crossed her mind that running into Ariana while out with Irene today had been deliberately arranged.

In her heart, Irene was just as gentle and kind-hearted as she was, someone who was always being bullied.

She simply assumed she’d had a stroke of bad luck—finally getting a chance to go out alone with her daughter, only to bump into Ariana. Though a small voice inside her insisted that Irene was her biological daughter! What was wrong with spending time with her? Still, she couldn’t shake a faint sense of guilt, knowing deep down that her actions were inappropriate.

So Georgia stood there awkwardly, not uttering a word.

Fortunately, Ariana didn’t deliberately provoke her. After studying Georgia for a moment, she said coolly, "I have Lamari Group to manage, unlike you, sister-in-law, who has all the leisure in the world. Naturally, I have more responsibilities." Then, shifting her focus to Irene, she gave a light chuckle. "Lately, I haven’t had much free time, so I’m truly grateful to see Miss Harper dutifully keeping my mother company and tending to her filial duties. I do hope Miss Harper will visit the White family more often. My mother often feels lonely by herself."

She wasn’t one to be easily provoked.

With a light laugh, she replied, "Miss Harper, you must have misunderstood. I’m not being severe, nor do I dislike your visits. To be honest, since my pregnancy, I’ve been feeling quite unwell—so much so that I haven’t even visited my own family. If you and my mother share common interests, I’m genuinely pleased. As I mentioned earlier, perhaps you didn’t hear me?"

Irene: "..."

Gwen’s lips twitched repeatedly as she fought back a smile. When she noticed Irene—the woman rumored to be her brother-in-law’s first love—glaring coldly, she quickly stepped in to mediate. "Third Sister-in-law really hasn’t been feeling well lately. It took a lot of convincing just to get her out today. Given her condition, I think it’s best if I take her home now. Eldest Sister-in-law, why don’t you, Miss Harper, and Auntie Georgia continue without us?"

Irene was left speechless, her eyes reddening with frustration.

Georgia could no longer stay silent. Her earlier guilt and conflicted emotions evaporated as she turned to Ariana with displeasure. "Ari, what’s with your tone? Irene only keeps me company because she knows how lonely I’ve been. You’ve been absent all these years—can’t I at least have someone I enjoy talking to for shopping and conversation?"

The moment Georgia spoke, the dynamics shifted.

The tables had turned.

Ariana turned her head slightly, casting a fleeting glance at her mother—one that instantly made Georgia falter. Still, she pressed on, though her voice softened. "Fine. If you’re not feeling well, go ahead and leave. I’ll be fine with Irene." Her eyes brimmed with disappointment, as if heartbroken by her daughter’s attitude.