CHAPTER 368
The person blocking their path was none other than Harmony. She was dressed in a soft, pastel-hued outfit, her long black hair cascading naturally down her back. Her delicate features gave her an ethereal beauty, and her wide, innocent eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at them.
A gentle smile spread across her face as she greeted them in a sweet, soft voice.
“Oh, Grandma King, what a pleasant surprise to see you here! It’s been such a long time.”
The warm atmosphere surrounding Arianna and the older woman cooled instantly.
Grandma King’s previously cheerful expression hardened. She rarely had the chance to enjoy peaceful outings with Arianna, and now Harmony had appeared to disrupt it.
Her face turned cold as she responded sharply,
“A surprise, you say? It seems more like you went out of your way to stand in front of me just to ruin my day.”
Grandma King’s harsh words made Harmony flinch. Her complexion paled, and she looked as if the wind had been knocked out of her sails.
Arianna was taken aback.
In her experience, Grandma King had always been a composed and cordial woman. Even toward people she didn’t particularly like, she typically remained polite, if a little distant. But the open disdain in her tone now was entirely uncharacteristic, and it left Arianna wondering just how deep the animosity ran.
She recalled overhearing a conversation between Grandma King and Aunt Julia, which hinted at her dislike for Harmony.
Yet, seeing the intensity of her reaction now, it was clear that the dislike was far stronger than she had assumed.
Harmony’s expression shifted, her eyes welling up as if she’d been deeply wronged. She bit her lip before speaking in a trembling voice,
“Grandma King, I know… you’ve never approved of me, but running into you today was purely coincidental…”
Her tearful, fragile demeanour was calculated to evoke pity, but it only hardened the older woman’s resolve.
Grandma King’s gaze didn’t waver. Instead, her lips curled into a cold smile as she retorted,
“Spare me your sob story, Harmony. If you’re aware that I don’t like you, then kindly stay out of my sight.”
Her tone grew sharper as she added,
“And if you think you can take advantage of my age to play your little games, go ahead and try. But I promise, you’ll regret it.”
Although Grandma King’s words were sharp, she maintained an air of grace, exuding a calm authority that was impossible to overlook.
Her dignified demeanour and the quiet power she carried were trademarks of the King family, making her presence commanding without effort.
Harmony lowered her gaze, but for a fleeting moment, resentment flared in the depths of her eyes.
Her goal that day wasn’t to provoke the older woman, no matter how much she despised her. She couldn’t afford to anger Grandma King—not yet. But one day, when she finally secured her position as Xander’s wife, she would ensure the old woman paid for her disdain.
Without sparing Harmony another glance, Grandma King turned to the manager and said firmly,
“Show us to our room.”
The manager, unnerved by her imposing aura, quickly nodded.
“Of course, this way, Madam.”
Grandma King walked forward, leaning lightly on her cane as Arianna supported her. She ignored Harmony entirely, heading into the VIP room without a backward glance.
Harmony remained rooted to the spot, her expression unreadable as she endured the judgmental stares of others in the salon. The faint hint of amusement in their eyes didn’t anger her; instead, it made her determination harden.
She allowed a small, calculated smile to touch her lips, though it never reached her eyes.
Her time would come.
...
After stepping into the VIP room, Grandma King and Arianna changed into the salon robes provided and settled onto the plush massage beds to enjoy a relaxing session with the masseuses.
As Arianna lay on her back, she glanced over at Grandma King, who rested on the bed beside her. The older woman’s face remained calm, her eyes closed, but her tightened lips betrayed the irritation that Harmony had sparked in her.
Arianna rarely saw Grandma King lose her temper. Since getting to know her, Arianna had always admired her poise and composure, and it was almost unheard of for anything to rattle her this much.
Her thoughts wandered as she recalled the background information her friend Rochelle had dug up about Harmony—a report they had gone over together.
There was a time when Grandma King had a fondness for Harmony, even going so far as to invite her regularly to the King's estate.
The two seemed to have a good relationship, but something must have changed drastically.
Whatever had happened was significant enough to turn affection into bitterness.
Harmony was not only sent away but was also told in no uncertain terms never to come back.
What could have led to such a dramatic shift?
It was difficult to justify Grandma King’s disdain for Harmony by attributing it solely to the latter’s family background.
After all, the Johnsons had never been on par with the Kings in terms of social standing. If anything, Johnson’s situation had deteriorated further after Arianna severed ties with her parents and took responsibility for her younger brother, who suffered from a serious heart condition.
Her circumstances were arguably more challenging than Harmony’s, yet Grandma King never showed her any contempt. The older woman treated Arianna with warmth and genuine affection.
Could it be Harmony’s character or actions that had earned her Grandma King’s disapproval?
That seemed plausible at first glance, but it didn’t entirely fit. Grandma King valued dignity and composure above all else and would never behave so openly dismissive without a very compelling reason.
Arianna turned the possibilities over in her mind, trying to piece together an explanation, but nothing seemed to add up.
She almost voiced her curiosity but held back. The older woman was still agitated, and Arianna didn’t want to risk upsetting her further. After all, Grandma King’s health was delicate, and excessive anger could take a toll.
Perhaps it was better to wait for a calmer moment to broach the subject.
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