The Queen Back From Hell - Chapter 92: Chapter 92

Phil hugged Arielle tightly, looking so sweet and well-behaved that he seemed on the verge of both tears and laughter.
"I missed you both too," Arielle said softly, gently ruffling his hair. "We'll never be apart again."
Phil's bright eyes dimmed instantly when he heard this.
He hesitated, then looked up and said softly, "Arielle, if Dad finds out we're here with you, and sees how well you're doing, he'll definitely come and make trouble. You should stay away... he..."
Cassandra also lowered her head. "Our own father sold us to loan sharks to settle his gambling debts. If someone hadn't rescued us, we might never have made it out alive..."
Suddenly, Cassandra realized something and looked up sharply. She gasped, "Arielle, was it you who sent someone to save us?"
"Yes," Arielle replied simply. That single word made Cassandra break down in tears again.
Arielle had lived with the Ballard family since she was six. Though Cassandra was barely four years older, they'd grown as close as real sisters.
After Kara's death, the three siblings' fates took a dark turn.
Their gambling-addicted father sold them off twice, but each time, they miraculously managed to escape.
Whenever he lost at gambling, he'd vent his rage on them, leaving their small bodies covered in bruises and scars.
Looking at Arielle, who was just three years younger than her, Cassandra couldn't help but feel relieved.
She thought, 'Thank goodness her real parents took her back. If they hadn't, that gambling addict of a father would've sold her off too.'
Seeing the three of them still lost in reminiscence outside, Vanna finally cut in with a smile, "Are you three planning to stand out here all day? Let's go inside and talk."
Cassandra suddenly realized she'd been so caught up talking with Arielle that she hadn't even thanked her who had saved her and her brother.
She recalled, "That day, when Father sold me and my brother to the loan sharks to settle his debts, it was this madam who bought us from them."
Later, she learned that Vanna had done this at Arielle's request.
Anyway, both Arielle and Vanna were their saviors.
Realizing this, Cassandra grabbed Phil's hand and was about to bow to Vanna.
But Vanna swiftly caught her arm before she could bow. "I was just helping out. If you want to thank anyone, it should be her." She glanced at Arielle.
"Alright, Cassandra," Arielle said warmly, "no need for words between us. Come on, let's go inside, I brought you both some special treats."
With that, she took Cassandra by the left hand and Phil by the right, leading them back into the house.
She thought, 'If it weren't for Cassandra, I wouldn't be alive today.
'That scar on her back, she took that blade for me.'
They were both her Achilles' heel and her greatest source of strength.
The three of them spent a wonderful day together, laughing and catching up.
Today, Arielle asked Cassandra and Phil about their plans for the future.
Cassandra wanted to find work. As for the job, Vanna suggested she take a position at the Bygones Club.
Not only did it offer competitive pay, but it also provided a secure working environment.
Cassandra didn't hesitate for a second, afraid that if she didn't say yes immediately, she'd lose the job.
Phil would be going to school.
He didn't have the means before, but now things were different. With the opportunity, he should get a proper education.
When Phil heard he could go to school, he couldn't stop smiling all afternoon.
As dusk settled in, Arielle reluctantly prepared to leave, her heart aching at having to head back home so soon.
The next day, Arielle headed to the Golden District.
The Boone family would soon develop this area. In just one year, Golden District would become the financial hub of Theoria City.
No one knew its true value yet.
But Arielle did.
Arielle wondered, 'Should I go back to Cloud Nine and place another high-stakes bet? If I can get the owner involved, maybe I can win that piece of land.'
But only if she was absolutely certain she would win.
Arielle spent the morning exploring Golden District, and with every passing moment, she grew more enamored with its potential.
'Where there's a will, there's a way!' Arielle thought with determination.
Glancing at her watch, Arielle noted it was nearly noon.
She headed for the restaurant across the street.
Just as she turned, several men in black suits abruptly blocked her path.