Chapter 596 Mr. Kingsley, Don't Forget Your Wife
The stage lights flickered, casting dazzling reflections off the crystal goblets, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
The masquerade ball was in full swing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I bet you're all wondering about the current president of the Bella Vista Foundation. Well, my husband Zephyr and I have handed the reins over to our daughter. Tonight, you'll get to meet her."
The room buzzed with chatter.
"The Warner family's daughter?"
"The one Mr. Warner keeps out of the public eye? Ms. Warner? Really? Mrs. Warner's actually letting her out?"
"Isn't Mr. Warner all about keeping his family private? He's hardly ever seen himself."
"I heard Ms. Warner is drop-dead gorgeous. Think we'll see her tonight?"
The murmurs grew louder, excitement in the grand ballroom reaching a fever pitch.
Poor Brooklyn, wearing Arabella's dress to avoid being recognized by Quinn, hid in a corner, watching from afar.
Arabella closed her eyes, confirming her suspicions. Thankfully, she had changed her outfit in advance.
She adjusted her mask, reminding herself to keep her mouth shut tonight. Less talk, less chance of getting caught.
Clementine smiled at the crowd, half-jokingly saying, "Honestly, I can't even tell which one is my daughter tonight. Everyone looks so stunning, I wish every beautiful young lady here were my daughter ."
The guests laughed heartily at Clementine's humor.
Then Clementine called out, "Bella, come up here, join me."
Arabella exhaled, knowing she had to face it head-on.
With a determined attitude, Arabella stepped onto the stage in her high heels.
Quinn looked around, puzzled. Arabella had gone to the restroom and hadn't returned. Did she run off?
He hadn't even gotten a chance to ask her anything before she disappeared. Or had she been caught sneaking into the party? What a foolish girl.
Clementine stood gracefully on stage, watching her daughter approach with elegant steps. Her smile widened, as if her cherished treasure was finally being revealed to the world.
The Warner family's only daughter, the sole heir to their vast fortune, deserved admiration and envy, not to be confined to a small hospital or a tiny operating room, exhausting her life away.
Clementine thought this, her smile growing brighter, imagining Arabella becoming the most dazzling presence under the spotlight.
As Arabella walked up, she was slightly annoyed, frowning behind her mask.
The spotlight followed her, illuminating the metallic details on her mask, highlighting her slender figure in the white gown, her graceful curves, and her elegant stride.
Her refined upbringing and perfect posture training transformed her from her usual carefree self into someone almost unrecognizable.
Brooklyn watched Arabella on stage, mouth agape in surprise. Truly, she was the Warner family's daughter, exuding an aura that ordinary girls couldn't replicate.
Finally, Arabella reached the stage, gracefully joining Clementine, playfully linking arms with her and whispering, "Mom, let's keep some mystery. I'll reveal myself next time when we're fundraising. Tonight, I'll just show off my figure."
Clementine affectionately tapped her forehead, "You thought of that? Alright, no face reveal today, but you'll have to tell everyone yourself."
Arabella nodded, relieved to have completed the first step.
Holding the microphone, Arabella's voice, amplified by the speakers, was clear and pleasant, almost unrecognizable from before.
"Distinguished guests, dear friends, thank you for taking the time to be here..." She delivered a formal speech, skillfully avoiding mentioning her name, and concluded with a smile, "Since tonight is a masquerade, allow me to keep up the mystery. At the next Bella Vista Foundation charity event, I'll reveal my true self. Please make sure to attend!"
Brooklyn smiled, impressed by Arabella's cleverness.
Someone in the audience persisted, "Ms. Warner, at least tell us your name?"
Arabella, with commanding presence, replied without hesitation, "You already know, Bella is my name. But if you prefer, you can call me Wendy. They say business is all about cunning, so I'm embracing tradition. For more about me, stay tuned to the foundation's updates!"
Updates, meaning they'd have to invest to learn more?
Brooklyn gave a thumbs-up from the corner, impressed by her ingenuity.
Quinn furrowed his brow, uncertainly watching the woman on stage. Why did the Warner family's Bella sound a bit like that hillbilly?
But Arabella wasn't wearing this outfit. Just a coincidence?
Meanwhile, over by the bar, a guy in a metallic mask was fiddling with a fishbone hairpin, a sly grin spreading across his face.
After her speech, Arabella quickly slipped off the stage, blending into the crowd, her debut ending amidst applause. She left behind a sense of mystery, sparking endless curiosity.
Naturally, to see her true face next time, they'd have to pony up some real cash.
Arabella ducked into the restroom, hoping Quinn hadn't recognized her.
She checked her phone and saw a dozen missed calls—all from Quinn.
Brooklyn quietly slipped into the restroom too, her phone buzzing in her bag. It was Sebastian calling.
Brooklyn took off her mask, noticing a light sheen of sweat on her forehead. She'd been so nervous for Arabella, she hadn't even realized it.
Sebastian sat in his car, holding the newly acquired authorization papers, his handsome face glowing with confidence. "Hey, where are you?"
Hearing Sebastian's voice, Brooklyn relaxed, leaning against the restroom door, a lazy smirk on her face. "Sebastian, did you forget you've got a wife waiting for you?"
Sebastian's deep gaze softened. "So, honey, how do you treat this condition?"
Brooklyn bit her lip, unintentionally showcasing her charm, her clear eyes glancing at the ornate wall design. "I'm a cardiologist, but do you even have a heart?"
Sebastian switched the phone to his other hand, casually holding it. "Seems not. I gave my heart to a woman named Brooklyn. Should I ask for it back?"
Brooklyn pressed a finger to her nose, chuckling. "Once given, it can't be taken back. No returns!"
"Alright," He replied seriously, then added, "Where are you? It's noisy."
"At the Warner family's party, hosted by Arabella's mom. The Warner family never used to throw events. It's kinda weird."
Sebastian frowned slightly. Yeah, the Warner family used to keep a low profile, but with the changing dynamics in Aucester and Brian teaming up with other shareholders to weaken his power, the Warner family must have caught wind of it. The Warner family might not be easy to deal with either.
"Don't overthink it. Have fun, and come home early. Call me when you get back." Sebastian said.
"Okay, you too. By the way, did everything go smoothly?" Brooklyn asked.
Sebastian touched the authorization papers, feigning seriousness. "Not quite, so I'll be delayed a few days. Miss me?"
"I just want you to be well." She truly hoped so.
Sebastian pondered, his voice tinged with a hint of flirtation. "Okay, I might come back sooner."
And then, Brooklyn ended the call.
Sebastian chuckled, spinning the ring on his finger, feeling a longing not just to see her, but to be with her.
Bill cautiously asked, "Mr. Kingsley, about tomorrow's schedule, you…"
"What time is the meeting?"
"From ten to twelve in the morning, and in the afternoon…"
Sebastian nodded. "Move the afternoon meeting to ten at night, count it as overtime, and pay triple. Book a flight to Aucester for one in the afternoon, returning to Aqua Vista City by six."
"Yes, Mr. Kingsley."
Tomorrow, Brooklyn was recording a show. As her husband, how could he not be there?
Arabella gritted her teeth, "Mr. Kingsley, I'm constipated! You go ahead, don't wait for me. I can't solve it with you on the phone. Alright, I'll keep trying, you go do your thing."
Quinn was utterly speechless at her antics.
Arabella hung up, finally getting rid of Quinn!
Exiting the stall, she found Brooklyn outside. "Brooklyn, you need the restroom too?"
Brooklyn put her phone away. "Don't change the subject. How are you going to make it up to me?"
Arabella grinned sheepishly. "Brooklyn, thanks for your help earlier. How about I offer myself to you?"
"No need for that… What? Not constipated anymore?"
"Brooklyn, don't expose me."
Brooklyn smiled warmly. "Want to change out of the dress? I'm thinking of heading back. I have to prepare for tomorrow's show."
"Oh my gosh, I forgot! You're recording tomorrow. But isn't Sebastian going to be there?"
Brooklyn shook her head. "He's on a business trip, probably won't make it back."
Even though she told herself to be okay with it, she couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.
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