The Queen Back From Hell - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Seated by the window on the fifth floor, a handsome young man's gaze fell upon Arielle's striking yet aloof beauty, and a subtle glimmer of interest, so faint it was nearly imperceptible, flickered in his eyes.
"Who is she?" Gavin inquired in his genteel voice, his gaze lingering on the distant, cool figure outside the window.
From their vantage point on the fifth floor, they had a clear view of everything happening downstairs, though not a sound reached them.
The assistant answered timidly, "Mr. Boone, that's Miss Meredith's elder sister, Arielle Bradford."
At the mention of Arielle's name, a flicker of disappointment crossed Gavin's eyes.
Gavin thought in shock, 'She's actually Meredith's sister!'
Rumors about Arielle were common knowledge throughout Theoria City.
He thought, 'With her shameful past and constant bullying of Meredith, no matter how beautiful she is, she is nothing but a pretty face.
'I have long been engaged to Meredith through a family arrangement.
'But ever since the scandal about the heiresses in the Bradford family came to light, this engagement...
'I would never marry a woman like her, even if she were the real heiress of the Bradford family.
'Only an outstanding woman like Meredith deserves to marry into the Boone family... but she's just an adopted daughter.'
Gavin shook his head, his appetite gone. He set down his fork, wiped his mouth, and left the fifth floor.
Gavin was the heir apparent to the Boone family.
He splited his time between managing the family business and attending school.
He was the very definition of excellence, his grandfather had already begun grooming him to take over the Boone family business.
He juggled both his studies and the company's affairs with ease, never missing a beat.
He rarely dined in the cafeteria. His meals were usually delivered by his private chauffeur.
On the rare occasions he did come, he always ate in the exclusive private dining room on the fifth floor.
The first time he visited the cafeteria this semester, he witnessed a shocking scene.
He couldn't fathom how someone as refined as Meredith could have such a disgraceful sister.
As Arielle slowed her pace while passing the playground, she savored this rare moment of peace and leisure.
In her old life, before she started school, the Bradford family held a grand welcome party for her, inviting all the elite of Theoria City.
That day, she wore the dress Meredith had picked out for her, only to become the laughingstock of the night.
They mocked and humiliated her relentlessly.
Back then, she was just like Andrew, utterly defenseless, letting everyone walk all over her.
The so-called righteous crowd, boys and girls alike, dumped slop all over her from head to toe.
Utterly humiliated, she fled the cafeteria in disgrace and hid in a corner, sobbing uncontrollably.
Just then, a boy named walked over and handed her a pack of tissues. "Here, wipe your face," he said gently.
She looked up to see a lanky boy, holding out a pack of tissues.
In his eyes were sympathy, helplessness, and a trace of pity he couldn't quite hide.
It was Andrew. He was the first at Peterborough High School to show her kindness.
"The world works in mysterious ways," Arielle mused.
Arielle looked up at the sky.
Fluffy clouds drifted across the blue sky.
'So beautiful!' she thought.
She reached out, as if she could touch that soft, fluffy cloud right in her palm.
Arielle mused, "The Bradford family hasn't thrown me a welcome party yet. Maybe my return has already altered how things were supposed to go.
"But it doesn't matter.
"I couldn't care less about some welcome party."
As Gavin made his way toward the academic building, he happened to spot Arielle standing alone on the playground, bathed in sunlight.
She gazed up at the sky, the coldness in her eyes faded, replaced by a hint of softness.
With a slight upturn of her lips, she looked incredibly charming.