NOVPUBChapter 1184: 535 Thoughts (Second Update)_1 Chapter 1184: 535 Thoughts (Second Update)_1 The vivid red color quickly faded to reveal the brown color of the tree trunk, and even the red flowers lost their brilliance, revealing their white core.
Vanessa Aria’s face visibly turned uncomfortable as she said, “Brother Peter, you…”
Sheila Cook clapped her hands and laughed delightedly, “Even godwood can fade?
How interesting!”
Though spoken innocently, her words felt oddly stirring when heard by the people around.
Godwood was after all just something from a legend; bringing it to Madam Aria was just supposed to bring good luck, nothing wrong with that.
But deception! being exposed face to face, was incredibly awkward.
Even worse, they had used a white flower.
How inauspicious!
...
What was even more puzzling was Peter Aria’s behavior.
This was his own little sister, wasn’t it?
He had exposed her in front of everyone at their mother’s birthday celebration.
He didn’t leave his little sister any face, that was too much, wasn’t it?
In short, the behavior of these two siblings was bewildering.
Matthew Aria scanned the expressions on everyone’s faces and felt a burst of anger.
He shouted, “Peter, do you know what you’re doing?
This is our mother’s birthday celebration.
This is not the time for you to cause a scene.”
Peter Aria raised his brow, “I just don’t like faking things.
Giving our mother a white flower to celebrate her birthday brings bad luck.”
“You!” Matthew Aria gasped, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
Did Peter ingest gunpowder today?
He’s made a joke for others to laugh at, he’s completely lost face for the Aria family.
Water shimmered in Vanessa Aria’s beautiful eyes, her face wore an expression of grievance which was pitiful to see.
Who wouldn’t feel sorry for her when they saw her like this?
“Peter, I’ve worked so hard to find this godwood for mother.
I didn’t know it was fake.
If I had known earlier, I definitely wouldn’t have brought it back.”
Brenda Lopez, who was sitting next to Caleb White, narrowed her eyes and smirked.
In front of so many people, Peter Aria wanted to rupture their relationship completely.
Although she extremely detested this woman, his sister had spent dozens of years painstakingly plotting her moves.
To waste everything like this, filled her with unwillingness.
Did he know what the consequences of opposing his sister were?
Isaac White discreetly waved at Anton Cook, who sat with solemn dignity, his gaze straight ahead.
Isaac White snorted, finding it all rather boring.
A bunch of people, each with their own hidden agendas, had gathered together, causing a scene at the birthday celebration.
There was no fun in it.
If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have come.
Aubree Groove was said to be in Lostswa.
It would be better to go find Aubree Groove to have some fun.
Isaac White took out his phone, clicked on his conversation with Aubree Groove, and sent an emoji.
Isaac White rested his head on his hand, swinging his leg impatiently as he waited.
There was no reply.
Vanessa Aria’s gaze fell on Violetta Gartia, her eyes were imbued with grief and entreaty.
Everyone then remembered that Violetta Gartia was about to become a part of the Aria family, he should take Vanessa Aria’s side, considering she is his fiancée.
Violetta Gartia’s expression was indifferent and he didn’t look at Vanessa Aria.
“You’ve taken the trouble to bring a fake coloured tree from the North Sea, you must have had a hard time on the trip.”
The man’s tone was normal, but his words sounded rather satirical to the listeners.
What’s wrong with Vanessa Aria?
Why doesn’t her brother or her fiancé take her side?
A blush of shame appeared on Vanessa Aria’s face.
As her eyes fell, a flash of darkness quickly disappeared.
Madam Lewis broke the awkward atmosphere, “I’m sure Ms.
Aria didn’t do it on purpose, her filial piety is commendable.”
“Thanks to Madam Lewis for speaking up for me.
It seems I was too gullible, which is why I caused such a joke.
I hope my mother will forgive me for disturbing her birthday celebration.”
Madam Aria leaned on her cane, projecting a calm and serene look.
“Filial piety is not just about giving material things, I know your intention.”
“Thank you, mother, for understanding.”
“I hope I’m not too late.” A cheerful voice floated in from outside the door, instantly drowning all the other sounds in the room.
Loretta, who was standing behind Madam Aria, suddenly lowered her eyes, hiding the change in her expression.
Madam Lewis squinted her eyes and looked over with a smile.
Cello Cook sat on a chair at the lower end of Madam Aria’s seat, picked up a tea cup and lightly stirred the foam on the surface.
Matthew Aria expressed his surprise, “Madam Frost?”
The woman who walked in was wearing a black satin cheongsam embroidered with golden phoenixes.
On her shoulders was a fox fur shawl.
Her low bun, accompanied by her graceful figure, made her look extremely attractive and luxurious.
She touched her hair, the gemstone ring between her slender fingers and the swinging gemstone earrings around her jade neck complemented each other, making her look so elegant.
“Aunt Elwood, do you still remember me?”
Madam Aria sat steady as a rock, and upon hearing the words, she archly responded, “It’s not easy for you to remember an old woman like me, Virginia.”
Larisa Dankworth recovered and asked in a low voice, “Who is this person exactly?”
She seems to be quite formidable.
Madam Dankworth gave her a pointed look, her eyes full of warnings.
Startled, Larisa Dankworth shrank back a little, not daring to ask any more questions.
Madam Dankworth was familiar with Virginia Frost, the daughter of Cherish Frost.
How mad Cherish Frost was in those days was something only the old ones like her remembered.
The younger generation probably had no idea, even Virginia Frost herself likely hadn’t heard about it.
But to assume due to this that the Frosts were of no concern would be a major mistake.
Cherish Frost and Madam Aria were close friends back in the day. 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
After Cherish Frost passed away, Virginia Frost took over the Frosts and moved to Pethkids not long after.
Very little came to be known about her affairs thereafter, save that she seemed to be faring well in Pethkids.
“Aunt Elwood, you are too kind.
You are one of my most respected elders.
I should have come to see you earlier, but due to the trap laid by some villains, I was unable to make the journey.
I’ve only recently found the opportunity to visit.
I hope you can excuse my tardiness.”
Such words might only deceive those who are ignorant of the situation.
Those present were all well aware of the atrocities she had committed in Pethkids.
Looking at her gentle and benevolent smile, they felt a shudder deep in their hearts.
This woman was too good at acting.
“Is that so?
You have been wronged.” Madam Aria replied, her tone neither warm nor cold.
Virginia Frost’s brilliant gaze swept the room, as if she only just noticed Madam Lewis and Cello Cook sitting on one side.
She nodded courteously, “Madam Lewis.”
“Mr.
Cook.”
The two maintained their neutral expressions.
Virginia Frost waved her hand, and her assistant stepped forward with a wooden box.
She walked up and opened the lid of the wooden box.
“This is a hundred-year-old wild ginseng root.
Its medicinal value is extremely high.
It could help Aunt Elwood achieve longevity.”
Real hundred-year-old wild ginseng, priceless in the marketplace, is an extremely extravagant gift.
Madam Aria nodded her approval, “You are thoughtful.”
Loretta stepped forward, took the wooden box from Virginia Frost’s assistant, closed the lid, and carried it down to be stored away.
Virginia Frost took a seat in the grand chair next to Cello Cook, separated by an eight immortal table.
As she sat down, she nodded slightly towards Cello Cook, her demeanor extremely elegant.
Madam Aria’s murky eyes scanned the room.
Everyone knew she was blind, but the tension that washed over them in that moment forced them almost instinctively to straighten their postures.
“I am grateful for the kindness of all of you who came to attend this old lady’s birthday banquet.
I thank you.
The snow plums in the courtyard are at their peak bloom, the scenery is lovely.
You all don’t need to keep me company.
The young ones can go enjoy the garden.
When it is late, please move to the Anika Hall and the banquet will officially begin.”
Madam Lewis smiled, “I have no interest in joining the crowd, I would rather stay and chat with Madam Aria.”
Sheila Cook was the first to sneak away.
Edric Lewis nervously glanced at Madam Lewis, desperately wishing he could sprout wings and fly away.
Seeing no other choice, Madam Lewis nodded, and Edric Lewis promptly disappeared.
Anton Cook reluctantly followed after her; “Don’t run off too eagerly, be careful not to fall.”
Stella White got up to leave instinctively.
As she exited the room, a gentle voice echoed, “Ninny.”
Stella White turned around and said with a smile, “Charlotte, I haven’t had a chance to chat with you yet.”
Charlotte Aria responded with a charming grin, “Let’s go together.”
Stella White blushed slightly, took Charlotte Aria’s arm and whispered, “Charlotte, you promised to help me before, will you do it now?”
“Do what?”
“Come on, stop pretending, you know what I mean.
Today is a perfect opportunity; help me this one time.”
Charlotte Aria’s eyes gleamed slightly, “Well…”
“Oh Charlotte, I’ll be grateful if you help me and we’re best friends after all.
If you don’t help me, I’ll be truly helpless.”
“Alright then, let’s agree on this.
We won’t be creating any chaos.”
Stella White burst into giggles, “You can trust me.”
That’s when they heard a timid voice from behind, “Can I come play with you guys?”
Upon seeing Larisa Dankworth, Stella White instinctively furrowed her eyebrows, “Charlotte, let’s go.”
Charlotte Aria shook her head, turned around, and said softly, “Miss Dankworth, let’s go together.”
Gratitude shone in Larisa Dankworth’s eyes.
The kitchen at this moment was bustling but organized, everyone was performing their duties.
The head cook was busy frying, the sweat on his forehead couldn’t be wiped away in time.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a female servant passing by, so he yelled out, “Come here, help me wipe my sweat.
It’s flowing into my eyes, stinging so badly I can barely keep them open.”
The girl put down the tray in her hands, filled with a few dishes of sliced fruits and pastries, walked over, took the towel around the chef’s neck, and dabbed at the sweat on his forehead.
It was then that the cook realized, the girl was quite tall, having wiped his sweat with ease.
The chef couldn’t help but turn his head, only to be greeted by an exquisite face with slightly darker skin.
Before he could get a good look, she had already turned around, grabbed the tray, and left.
Despite the dull gray uniform she wore, it couldn’t hide her slender and tall figure.
In his mind’s eye, he couldn’t help but recall a pair of sparkling eyes, as beautiful and clear as the starry sea.
