Chapter 183: Don’t Unlock
Ariella’s face twisted in irony, "Hmm, men are all the same... Saun, too...". Her words hung in the air before she abruptly stopped.
Ariella turned to Charlotte and Thea. "Shall we take a look around?"The three of them wandered off, leaving the others behind.
Wren approached Roan, a thoughtful look on his face. "Hey, bro, I have been wondering... do you think Ariella has feelings for you?"
Roan laughed it off. "Don’t be ridiculous, Wren. What makes you think that?"
"You’ve known her since childhood.." Wren pointed out. "It’s possible."
Roan shook his head, adjusting his bow in the mirror. "Trust me, Wren, there’s nothing between us."
Wren raised an eyebrow. "You’re awfully sure about that."
Roan’s expression turned somber. "She’s had her heart set on someone else since high school."
"Who is he?" Wren asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"I don’t know who exactly she likes... and to be honest, I’d rather not think about it right now."
"Today is my wedding, after all. I think you should focus on celebrating with me, rather than speculating about Ariella’s love life."
Wren nodded at Roan, "Yes, yes."
Thea, Charlotte, and Ariella strolled off together, enjoying the scenery.
Charlotte turned to Ariella with curiosity. "Sister Ariella, what are your plans now?"
Ariella smiled. "Now that I’m back from abroad, Father has already arranged for me to join his company as a Project Manager, overseeing key initiatives and driving business growth."
This role is a learning opportunity for Ariella, allowing her to gain experience and develop her skills under her father’s guidance.
He had confidence in her abilities and trusted her to handle important projects. Thus, he gave her the chance.
"Thea, Charlotte, what about you two?" Ariella asked.
"My plans... I want to be an actress.." Charlotte replied, "Nice plan I made.." she said, holding her hands together in delight.
Ariella chuckled. "Hmm, I think after hearing your words,Uncle and Aunt will surely beat you."
"Sister Ariella, don’t say that.." Charlotte protested, laughing.
Ariella turned to Thea. "And you? What are your plans?"
"Miss Pierce, I want to get a job so that I can fulfill all of my grandmother’s wishes.." Thea replied, her voice sincere.
Ariella smiled warmly. "Nice plan, but only Grandma? Why not your parents?" she asked, her tone gentle.
"Miss Pierce, my parents are no more in this world.." Thea said softly.
Ariella’s expression turned sympathetic. "Thea, I didn’t know about it. Sorry if my words have hurt you."
"It’s okay, Miss Pierce.." Thea replied with a soft smile.
"Thea, you don’t need to address me as Miss. You are Charlotte’s friend, and she calls me Sister. You too can call me like that."
"Okay... Sister Ariella.." Thea said softly.
Ariella asked, "You two are studying at the university now... How many proposals did you receive?"
Charlotte smiled mischievously. "Proposals... I have received a lot."
Ariella chuckled knowingly, and Charlotte added, "Thea, remember that proposal I received from a junior boy two years ago?"
Thea nodded. "Yes... later you beat the boy badly and left him to cry."
Ariella’s eyes widened in surprise. "You beat the boy who proposed to you?" she asked, astonished.
Charlotte shrugged. "Yes, he was really annoying. I warned him to leave me alone, but he kept bothering me. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I taught him a lesson he won’t forget."
Ariella said, "But you shouldn’t use force upon him."
Charlotte clarified, "Sister Ariella, it wasn’t my choice, and I didn’t beat him. Nash was the one who beat him."
Thea asked, "Who is this Nash?"
Charlotte replied, "A junior I know."
Ariella whispered, "My cousin is here.." and hurried off to greet her cousin.
Charlotte’s eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and her breath caught in her throat. She felt a flutter in her chest.
"Thea, do I look... presentable?" Charlotte asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her hands nervously smoothing out her clothes.
Thea nodded, "Hmm... You are looking all right."
Charlotte turned back to gaze at Ryan, her eyes drinking in the sight of him. He wore a sleek charcoal grey suit, tailored to perfection, with a crisp white shirt and a subtle patterned tie. His dark hair was styled flawlessly, and his piercing eyes shone with warmth as he laughed with Ariella, leaving Charlotte breathless.
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed at Ryan. "I thought being abroad would have changed him, but I guess some things remain the same – like his smile. It’s just a shame he only seems to reserve it for everyone else."
Thea whispered discreetly, "Maybe that’s because he thinks you’re annoying, and it’s hard for him to smile at you."
"You’ve got your chance now, and you’re using it?"
Thea’s response was swift and playful. "Isn’t it true?"
Charlotte’s smile grew wider as she grasped Thea’s hand. "Come on."
"Where are you taking me?"
Without answering, Charlotte led her to Ryan, who was engaged in conversation with Ariella.
Ryan turned to Ariella and asked, "You’re here alone?"
Ariella nodded. "Mother is staying home with Father."
As Charlotte and Thea drew near, Ryan’s eyes shifted from Charlotte to the person coming closer.
A sight of sophistication, the woman moved towards Ryan, her attractiveness emanating from every direction. Her dress embraced her figure flawlessly, while her skillfully done makeup accentuated her inherent traits. An impeccable foundation showcased her velvety skin, and a gentle sweep of blush contributed a hint of warmth to her face. Her eyes sparkled brilliantly, due to a skillful combination of eyeshadows, and her striking, red lips formed an enchanting smile.
Charlotte’s bright mood darkened in an instant.
The woman’s sultry voice wrapped around Ryan’s name, "Ryan...", as she stepped beside him, her eyes locked adoringly on his face.
Ariella’s expression turned quizzical. "Who’s this?" she asked Ryan, her tone tinged with confusion.
Ryan’s gaze met Ariella’s,"Ariella, I’d like you to meet Ava... my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend? " Ariella’s eyes widened in astonishment. "Is she the one Grandma mentioned, the one you’ve shown interest in?"
Ryan nodded,validating Ariella’s assumptions.
Ava, recognizing a moment to lighten the mood, offered her hand in greeting. "Hello, cousin Ariella.." she said with a friendly smile.
Ariella’s smile wavered briefly before she steadied herself. "I’m not your cousin yet, please," she responded, her voice cheerful, but her eyes revealing a trace of detachment and discomfort.
"She is the one..you said Mr Harrison’s girlfriend.."
Charlotte simply nodded her .She did not know if Ryan was intentionally trying to infuriate her.Charlotte saw the face of the person whom she was the most unwilling to see- Ava!
Roan emerged and walked towards them, a smile on his face. "Ava, Ryan, you are here."
Ava smiled sweetly, taking Ryan’s hand as she gazed deliberately at Charlotte. "Hmm, your wedding is here, how come we two didn’t attend it?"
Charlotte’s anger simmered as she listened to their exchange. She felt a surge of infuriation at Ava’s deliberate provocation. Swiftly intervening, Charlotte grasped Roan’s hands, pulling him aside.
"Cousin Roan, you know Ava?" she asked, her voice tinged with accusation.
Roan nodded calmly. "Yes, Charlotte."
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed. "When?"
Roan’s expression remained unruffled. "From the beginning."
"If you know from the start, why didn’t—" Charlotte began to say, but she suddenly halted, her words suspended in the air.
Roan’s forehead creased with worry. "What’s the issue? " he inquired, perceiving that something was not quite right.
Charlotte’s face was tense. "Nothing," she replied, before turning to walk away from him.
Roan observed her departure, confused. "What’s the matter with her? " he pondered, his thoughts racing with potential explanations.
At that moment, his friend came over to him. "Roan, the ceremony is about to commence," he stated, interrupting Roan’s thoughts.
Roan acknowledged him, brushing aside his concern for Charlotte. He followed his friend, returning to his spot as the ceremony commenced.
Thea’s eyes scanned the room, searching for Charlotte, but she was nowhere to be found. With a growing sense of concern, Thea turned to slip away.
Ariella’s voice halted her. "Thea, where are you going? The ceremony is about to start."
Thea paused, concocting a quick excuse. "I need to..um, use the washroom.." she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Thea walked away, her phone already in hand as she dialed Charlotte’s number. She waited for an answer, but her calls were met with silence.
"Why isn’t she answering?" Thea thought to herself, a thread of worry weaving its way through her mind.
With a growing sense of unease, Thea continued her search. She followed the winding path that led to the lake, its calm waters a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her.
With a growing sense of unease, Thea continued her search. She followed the winding path that led to the lake, its calm waters a stark contrast to the turmoil brWith a growing sense of unease, Thea continued her search. She followed the winding path that led
path that led He replied.
