Louise suddenly realized she and her future daughter-in-law had been standing and chatting for quite a while. "Look at me, all
scatterbrained with excitement," she chuckled warmly. "Myrna, con in and have a seat."
"I have to run." Myrna glanced at the clock on the wall. Twas slipping away, and she turned to Arabella, "I'll catch up with you
another day."
With those words, she wrapped Arabella in a big hug.
As they embraced, Arabella whispered in Myrna’s ear, "Is everything safe?"
"No worries," Myrna replied, her smile concealing her caution. She didn't want to alarm Kenneth and Louisa or let the gossiping
designers overhear anything. "I'm off then. I'll cvisit over the holidays. Bella, see you around."
"You're leaving already? After bringing all these gifts. Wait a minute, letwalk you out," Louise said hurriedly, following Myrna's
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsteps. "Next tyou come, don't bring anything. It's too much. Are you and Chasel off for the holidays? You should cover for
dinner!"
"Sure," Myrna said with a smile. "I love the vibe at your place, Louisa. Why isn't Serena here today?"
Normally, having a designer cover for a fitting was an event Serena would never miss.
"She." Louise, considering Myrna as part of the family, didn't intend to keep secrets. "I sent her next door to reflect on her
behavior."
As Louise relayed the story, Myrna's expression turned to one of anger. "Why hasn't she learned her lesson? Last time, she told her
classmates that Bella managed to sweet-talk her way into your hearts just because she's pretty and smart, and that's why she was
taken in as your goddaughter, given the Collins name, and lived under the sroof as her. If | hadn't stumbled upon her lies, who
knows how much more she'd have slandered Bella!"
"What?" Louise couldn't believe her ears. It had been months since that incident, and she never imagined Serena would be so
outrageous, mouthing off without restraint at school!
"The classmates thought Bella, an adopted daughter, was bullying Serena. They were all sympathizing with her! I'm an outsider,
after all, and this is a Collins family matter, so | didn't want to interfere too much. That's why | had Chasel go to the school. In front
of Chasel and me, Serena at first pretended to faint to find a way out, but then her friends found out she was lying. They've all
fallen out with Serena."
Louise felt a coldness settle in her heart. She had never expected the child to turn out this way, lying compulsively and being two-
faced.
She was always such a well-behaved and sensible child, excelling in everything from a young age. How could she have changed so
drastically in just six months.
"Louisa." Myrna felt it necessary to speak her mind. "Serena bullying Bella isn't new. She even cried and promised Chasel there
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmwouldn't be a next time, and Chasel gave her a chance, not telling you or Kenneth. But after all this time, she did it again at Mr.
Eugene's birthday party. This shows she never thought she was wrong. On the contrary, she's been looking for chances to get back
at Bella. | think, as long as she's around, Bella will only suffer more."
Louise was profoundly shaken. She had wanted to give Serena another chance, but now it seemed the child was beyond
redemption.
"She's good at putting on a show in front of others, but she often bullies Bella in private." Myrna glanced at her phone, really out of
tnow. "Louisa, | really have to go. You'll have to consider this."
After all, she wasn't officially part of the family yet and it wasn't her place to say too much.
"Cfor dinner with Chasel when you can." Louise watched her leave and then returned to the main house. Looking around, she
wondered, where was her precious daughter?
"She had something cup suddenly and went upstairs to handle swork." Kenneth approached Louise quietly. "Honey,
maybe it's twe cool things down a bit."