The Queen Back From Hell - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

The next morning, the alarm buzzed, forcing Meredith to get up.
Today was the day to humiliate Arielle, so even though she was dead sleepy, she gotta get dolled up.
Feeling pretty good, she slipped on the latest Chanel pink princess dress, letting her long hair flow freely, looking pure and stunning.
She didn't sleep well last night, so her makeup was slightly thicker than usual to cover up the dark circles and pimples on her skin.
Finishing, she twirled in front of the mirror.
'Mmm, flawless! Can't wait to see Arielle in her outdated, tacky outfit at the birthday party. That scene? Gonna be unforgettable for her.
'The high society crowd will laugh their heads off, calling her clueless, tasteless, then maybe chuck her into the pool to wake her up.
'Arielle, brace yourself for the storm. Soon, you'll be the talk of the town, a disgrace to the Bradford family.' Thinking about her all flustered made Meredith so satisfied.
She hummed happily as she opened the door and went downstairs.
Sharon gazed at her well-dressed daughter with adoring eyes.
"Mom, Dad, good morning," Meredith greeted them sweetly.
Feeling great, she gave her parents a sweet smile.
Seeing her so beautifully dressed, Sharon asked, "Out shopping with friends?"
"Nah, mom. I'm gonna take my sis out to a friend's birthday party," Meredith replied.
The soft voice melted Sharon's heart.
In her heart, Meredith was not only beautiful but kind and so considerate.
She tenderly pulled Meredith into an embrace. "Baby girl, I'm so proud of you for taking your sister out to meet friends. You're my sweet baby.
"I never thought of that. Yet you did, which means you are a pretty and kind little beauty."
Meredith chuckled, replying, "Mom, don't tease me. Arielle just got back and has no friends. It's kinda sad. As her younger sis, it's my duty to help her. Soon, you'll have two little sweethearts."
"Yes, yes, I must've been so lucky to have such a great daughter like you. Arielle's clueless about manners and upbringing.
"You gotta keep an eye on her, take care of her, and don't let her embarrass us at your friend's birthday party."
Meredith obediently nodded, pulling away from Sharon's embrace. "My dear mom, don't worry. I'll take good care of her."
'Oh yeah, I definitely would. And take extra good care. As for embarrassing? That was a sure thing. How could I waste such a golden chance?' she sneered inwardly.
The two linked arms, heading for the dining room.
Just as they moved, they spotted Arielle descending the stairs.
Two pairs of eyes scrutinized her instantly.
Sharon's face showed disdain. "Aren't you going to the birthday party today? Why aren't you ready yet?"
She swept over Arielle with a disdainful glance, her good mood vanishing the moment she saw Arielle's tacky outfit.
One might mistake her for a beggar at the Bradford family's doorstep. The Bradford family couldn't afford such a disgrace.
'How could she even dare to wear such cheap clothes?' Sharon said inwardly.
"Ready for what?" Arielle retorted.
Sharon was nearly driven to the brink of fainting; there had never been anyone in the Bradford family who could be labeled as a country bumpkin.
'Did she really not know, or was she pretending?' she asked inwardly.
So, she snapped, "You're attending a high-society gathering, you need to wear a noble gown.
"Like your sister, dressed up beautifully, like a princess. Look at you. What are you wearing? Are you intent on humiliating the Bradford family?
"Are we poor enough that we can't even afford to buy you a single gown?"
Sharon's tone turned sour as she kept questioning, her voice rising a few decibels when she got worked up.
She just couldn't take a liking to Arielle, who was always wearing a sour face, like someone owed her big time.