Half an hour later.
All the performances had cto an end, and Jennifer, linking arms with Arabella, beamed at her, "Bella, how about we go watch
the fireworks? Your Grandma and Grandpa had them set up just for you."
Arabella's gaze shifted towards Phillip and Shirley, her tone gentle, "Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa."
"I just hope you like them." Phillip helped his wife put on a woolen beanie and a thick coat before they all made their way to the
garden.
"It's a bit nippy out here, Bella. Do you have a warmer coat?" A gust of wind made Shirley's neck chill, and she was concerned
Arabella might catch a cold.
But in the next second, Romeo draped his overcoat around Arabella's shoulders and meticulously fastened each button, "Wear
mine, it'll do."
The black overcoat hung loose on Arabella, accentuating her slender figure even more.
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Cathy hadn't expected Arabella to carry off Romeo's overcoat with such a cool vibe.
It seemed like her sister-in-law was a natural clothes horse, the kind who could make even a burlap sack look good.
Romeo, with his arm around Arabella's waist, led her to the garden. No sooner had they found a spot than twenty magnificent
fireworks burst overhead simultaneously, the spectacle grand and visually stunning.
Arabella hadn't expected the McMillians to stage such a splendid and dazzling fireworks show for her. With one burst fading,
another would bloom instantly, leaving onlookers breathless and visually satiated.
Romeo pulled Arabella closer, shielding her from the chilly breeze.
The fireworks lit up the entire night sky, a riot of colors gradually forming various patterns and finally, the words 'Happy New Year'
traced in sparks.
After the show, all the elders wished Arabella a Happy New Year. The warm and cheerful atmosphere stirred a sense of warmth and
emotion within her.
"Bella!"
As the fireworks display cto an end, everyone started heading back inside. Cathy hurriedly caught up to Arabella and said to
Romeo, "I need to ask Bella about something."
After a glance from Arabella, Romeo reluctantly let go of her but shot Cathy a warning look, silently telling her not to stir up
trouble.
Cathy pretended not to notice and, clinging to Arabella's hand, whispered, "Bella, can | ask you how you tamed my big brother?
He's so gentle around you."
Before she could finish, she quickly added, "I don't mean to thim, just wish he'd be a bit gentler with us too."
"Cathy." Romeo's voice cfrom behind them.
Cathy spun around, stammering, "lI was just telling sis how gentle you are! She said you're really gentle!"
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The sternness in Romeo's demeanor softened into a more gentle presence.
"Romeo really does seem a lot gentler around you!!" Cathy once again murmured in Arabella's ear, "| declare, from this moment
on, you're my idol. Whatever you say, I'll do!"
"Speak your mind," Arabella said, seeing right through her little ruse but knowing she bore no malice.
Cathy hadn't expected her sister-in-law to be so much more perceptive than she'd anticipated, and she giggled, slightly
embarrassed, "Romeo thinks I've been disrespectful to you and has sentencedto copy the family code ten times. You have no
idea, our family code is foul and lengthy, enough to circle the Earth! Please, dear Bella, helptalk to him. Wouldn't once be
enough?"
Copying it ten times would be the death of her.
Arabella raised an eyebrow, realizing this young girl had cozied up to her, arm in arm, hoping to reduce her sentence.
"Actually, writing more could benefit you," Arabella teased.
"How so?"
"Your handwriting might improve."