NOVEL NEXT Chapter 679: A smile that’s definitely short-lived.
When Arwen put it like that, no one could stop her. She smiled at them one last time before she headed inside.
Mia, just a step behind her, couldn't help but cheer. "Ma'am, you made it interesting. I always thought you were scared of crowds. But today, you were just … awesome."
Arwen smiled, glancing at her briefly. She wasn't afraid of the crowd —it was just that, in the past, she had hesitated. There had always been too much to consider before stepping forward. But now, she was no longer bound by the same rules and expectations. So, there was no hesitation.
She felt free —truly free —with nothing holding her back.
And surprisingly, it felt good.
"I just said what I felt was the right response. But let's see how they write it tomorrow. After all, no matter what you say, they would find a way to twist and create a story. You can't stop them from it," she replied as they entered the banquet hall where the party had already begun.
Meanwhile, at the same time, in her suite, Catrin sat rigid in front of the wide screen she had arranged to receive the live updates from the venue. She hadn't made her entrance yet, but just now she had witnessed every second of Arwen's exchange with the crowd of journalists.
"In just a few months, she had forgotten all she had learnt over the years." Her manicured fingers scraped against the armrest as her jaws tightened. "How could she speak like that in front of the cameras? Can't she see her words could be easily misinterpreted? Is she there to humiliate herself — and the family?"
Lia, standing a few steps away, didn't know what she should say. To her, the way Arwen had handled the questions had been impressive, even refreshing. She hadn't found anything wrong with her words. Especially her confidence —that just added to her charms. But she also understood why Catrin was so displeased.
After all, Arwen's statements had subtly hinted at the possibility that tonight's carefully arranged event might fail.
"Tonight, after she takes back the title, how is she going to explain herself? Tomorrow, those reporters will be busy writing about how bold she was talking, only to end up keeping the very thing she called a gilded cage," Catrin muttered, her voice cold.
Her eyes remained fixed on the screen, watching Arwen move gracefully towards the entrance of the hall.
Lia stood behind her, hesitant. After a moment, she said, "Madam, have you considered … what if your plan doesn't go the way you expect?"
Catrin's head snapped toward her, her gaze icy.
Even though that stare could freeze the air between them, Lia still gathered the courage to voice the possibility that her boss was deliberately trying to deny.
"What if Ms. Arwen doesn't step forward to take back the title? What if she doesn't plan on returning even after seeing Ms. Emily taking her place?" Lia's eyes shifted to the screen before she added softly, "Her words just now only reinforced her determination and finality. So … what if —"
"There is no what if." Catrin's voice cracked like a whip, sharp and threatening. Her glare hardened as she repeated herself with deliberate emphasis. "There is no what if. Arwen will step forward to take back the title. She will return because she can't bear to watch someone else take what has always been hers."
Lia pressed her lips together, knowing there was no way to reason with her anymore. Catrin simply refused to accept the truth —that Arwen might never come back. Not because she was stubborn, but because Catrin, in her stubbornness, was making her give up on them completely.
Catrin stared back at the screen, and her gaze turned dark. "She would return. I will push her to the limit, from where she could step away. She would have to return, and you will see it happening tonight, Lia."
Lia shook her head internally —for she could see what Catrin was refusing to acknowledge.
"Are the papers ready?" Catrin asked, once again.
The secretary nodded. "Yes, madam, they are ready. As long as you want it, the lawyer would step forward with it."
Catrin nodded, confidence flashing in her eyes. "That's it," she said, "Those papers would enough to make Arwen snap and agree. With them, she would no longer be able to refuse to give in."
Lia paused, thinking about the papers that Catrin was talking about. "But Madam, those papers … are you sure about them? I mean, Sir hasn't yet arrived. What if he —"
"Idris would only be happy to see me bringing our daughter back. Don't worry about him," Catrin said, looking all pleased suddenly. "Tonight … will it all take to get everything back into place. Right now, he is out on a business trip. Let him finish the deal. When he returns in a few days, it will be a surprise."
"But Madam, sir —"
"Lia, just because I am allowing you to speak over a few things doesn't mean you get to voice out your thoughts every now and then," Catrin snapped, looking coldly at the girl. "Remember, you are my secretary, and your duty is just to assist me in my company jobs. Don't probe into your boss's personal matters."
Lia, at once, hung her head low, apologizing, "I am sorry, Madam. I overstepped. I will be mindful hereafter." She said, and Catrin stared at her for a moment before shifting her gaze back to the screen.
She watched Arwen moving through the crowd of guests elegantly. While she approached a few people, more people approached her. It was pleasant to see her finally acting the way she should.
No matter how upset she was with her, at this moment, Catrin felt proud looking at her daughter like that. "As long as she returns tonight, I will praise her," she told herself as her lips curled up, forming a smile —a smile that was definitely going to be short lived.
"It's time," Catrin spoke, finally standing up. "Let's go."