Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 671

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Sheryl carefully set down the nourishing soup and said earnestly, "The tonic soup is warmed up now. It's best to drink it while it's hot. The nutritionist said it's good for your health."

Jolene chimed in with a warm smile, "I made this especially for you at home. Why don't you try it and see how it tastes?"

Ariana had been drinking far too much of this tonic soup lately.

Honestly, the amount she'd consumed over the past few years probably exceeded what most people would drink in two lifetimes.

With a quiet sigh, Ariana suppressed the rising nausea and forced a polite smile at her mother-in-law. "I'll have it later—my stomach's a bit upset right now. But thank you for thinking of me, Mom."

Jolene chuckled softly. "Silly girl, you're my daughter-in-law, and you're carrying my grandchild. Of course I'd look after you." Perhaps out of guilt, unease, or genuine affection, Jolene's patience and kindness toward Ariana had grown far beyond what it used to be.

Before, she had merely thought of her daughter-in-law as decent and treated her with mild fondness.

Now, however, she truly cherished her—and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.

Sheryl still hadn’t left.

Jolene’s brows furrowed slightly. Even though she had once been just a village girl, decades as the Third Madam of the Stone family had instilled in her an air of authority. Her tone turned sharp. "Why are you still standing here? Shouldn’t you be downstairs?"

Normally, Jolene wouldn’t have spoken so harshly.

She was known for her gentle demeanor.

But today, her nerves were frayed, and the maid’s lack of tact made her an easy target.

Sheryl paled.

She had served in the Third Household for years and had never once been scolded by the Third Madam. Deep down, she had always underestimated her, which was why the sudden reprimand stung so sharply. Pressing her lips together, she lowered her head slowly, swallowing her humiliation. "Understood. I’ll take my leave now. Please call if you or the Young Madam needs anything."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Jolene watched Sheryl's retreating figure, her eyes tinged with faint displeasure. She turned to Ariana and said, "That Sheryl is becoming more and more unreliable these days. Since you're expecting, I’ll have the main house send over a new batch of servants."

Ariana smiled softly. "No need, it’s too much trouble. I think things are fine as they are."

Jolene still looked unhappy, but she held her tongue. Ariana’s current situation was complicated, and she didn’t want Old Mr. Stone to form any more unfavorable opinions of her. Deep down, she knew exactly why the old man had been so quick to push Lambert into divorcing and remarrying into the Harper family—firstly, because the Harper family’s status was undeniably advantageous.

Secondly…

The old man still harbored resentment toward Ariana.

Back then, Lambert had rebelled against the Stone family for her sake, and Ariana had been just as defiant, her temperament sharp and unyielding. Though it had all been for Lambert’s sake, if he had never returned to the Stone family, it might not have mattered. But now that he was back, the old man pretended to have forgotten the past, though the grudge still festered in his heart.

It was only because Lambert had always loved Ariana, and with the birth of children like Lucian, that the old man’s resentment had gradually faded. Had it not been for this unexpected turn of events, he might never have revealed his true feelings.

As for the old madam…

She had never known that Lambert was actually her grandson. Even as the "child" of her most beloved son, she had never paid him much attention, nor had she shown him affection in his youth. By the time the truth of his parentage finally came to light, Lambert was already grown—those lost years could never be reclaimed. That was why the old madam poured all her love into little Lucian. Naturally, she had little warmth to spare for the wife of a grandson she had never particularly cared for.