21 (new)
Ariana stomped into her room, her mood sour and heavy. The grand welcome party had been a disaster for her ego, and every step she took toward her bed felt heavier than the last.
Emily had skillfully made an excuse to Jonathan, allowing her to slip into Ariana's room unnoticed.
She didn't want him to know that something happened with Ariana.
"How was the event tonight, darling?" Emily asked softly, closing the door behind her.
Ariana flopped onto her bed, her tiredness evident, but when her mother asked, her expression soured further.
"It was… awful," she muttered.
Then, unable to hold it in, she began recounting everything that had happened. Verena being there and Mrs. Allen had paid attention to Verena instead of her.
Emily frowned, her brows knitting together at the story, but then slowly relaxed as a thought crossed her mind.
"Mom… do you know something?" Ariana asked eagerly, sitting up slightly, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Mrs. Allen was imprisoned two years ago," Emily said, her voice calm but deliberate. "She was only recently released. Not many people knew about it, only elite families like ours. Verena must have gotten close to her while inside."
Ariana's eyes sparkled with a mixture of shock and admiration.
"How lucky is she? I bet she learned about Mrs. Allen and helped her a bit… got connections. Maybe Mrs. Allen even brought Verena out of prison herself."
Emily's expression turned regretful. "Even with our influence, Verena being released… it's possible. She must have been clever."
"Mom! I'm so angry!" Ariana exclaimed, curling up into a ball on her bed, frustration pouring out of her.
Emily softened and moved closer, resting a hand on Ariana's shoulder. "Don't be, my sweet daughter. Mama loves you. You'll get another opportunity to meet Mrs. Allen. Don't worry, you'll shine next time, and she will notice you. Now… sleep."
…
After dinner, Verena quietly carried Little Benny to his room, tucking him under the blankets. She hummed softly until his breathing evened out and he drifted into sleep.
Closing the door gently, she lingered for a moment, watching his peaceful face before stepping back into the hallway.
Meanwhile, in the study, Joshua stood before Louis, holding an iPad. "Sir, here is the report of Ms. Verena's whereabouts today."
Louis took the device without a word. His sharp eyes skimmed over the details every place Verena had gone, every person she had seen.
Once finished, he set it down and flicked his hand dismissively. Joshua bowed slightly and left.
Silence enveloped the mansion.
Louis leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. But the stillness was interrupted by the faint creak of a door upstairs, followed by the soft tip-tap of footsteps descending the staircase.
Verena appeared at the bottom of the stairs, halting abruptly when she saw him.
Louis sat in the same spot as the night before, his posture straight, his presence unyielding.
Her chest tightened. What would he say tonight? Would he still try to persuade her to marry him?
Her thoughts flickered to Ariana, how desperately she wanted to marry this man. Verena's gaze lingered on him, almost against her will.
His face was logically gorgeous, model-like in its symmetry. He had a high, straight nose, defined cheekbones, and a jaw so sharp, it could cut through stone.
"Little Benny is sleeping," she finally said, her voice low but steady.
Louis opened his eyes and fixed them on her. The weight of his stare made Verena's palms damp with sweat.
"That's early," he remarked, his tone unreadable. Then, after a pause, "I have a request."
Verena straightened, instinctively falling into respectful formality.
"Mr. Louis, please feel free to make your request. I'll try to comply, as long as it's within my abilities."
She knew her limits. She couldn't always refuse him. The Heisenbergs weren't a simple family, and with Louis steadily pushing to seize full control of the company, she was certain he would succeed soon. Defying him blindly would only invite danger.
Louis leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. "Little Benny really likes you. Tonight was the first time he fell asleep early. It seems you're the only one who can calm him down now."
Verena blinked, caught off guard, as he continued.
"I hope that you can move in with us. Stay here for a period of time, only until Little Benny's emotional state has recovered."
Her breath caught. She stared at him, stunned.
"…Move in here… to stay?"