Chapter 11 The Obelon Family's Nanny

"I remember the Obelon Family has one of these limited edition cars."

The words had barely landed when someone with sharp eyes spotted Arabella on the other side.

"That's weird, isn't that Arabella over there? I just saw her pull up and get out — so if that's not her, then who's in this car?"

"Whoever it is, they're definitely not ordinary!"

While everyone was buzzing with speculation, the Rolls-Royce door swung open.

The girl who stepped out was wearing an ankle-length dress. A breeze swept through, lifting her long hair and pale yellow skirt together.

"She looks so familiar."

"She's gorgeous."

"I think she's that new transfer student who just arrived yesterday."

"Which transfer student?"

"Summit Academy only has one transfer student — I think her name's Regina. Look at all the designer stuff she's wearing. She must be loaded."

The chatter spread in all directions. Most of it was hushed, but every word still found its way to Regina's ears. The compliments fed her vanity like fuel to a fire, and she straightened her back without even thinking about it.

She loved moments like this — being the center of everyone's attention, especially right in front of Arabella.

It was the only time she felt like she was better than Arabella. More likable.

Regina lifted her chin with a proud tilt, her seemingly gentle eyes narrowing slightly. "Could everyone please make way?"

"Even her voice is so soft — that's what you'd expect from someone connected to the Obelon Family. Such good manners."

"But doesn't the Obelon Family only have one daughter? Who is this girl — a relative? Must be pretty close, otherwise why would they send her to school in their car?"

The guessing grew louder, but Regina just kept her smile in place, her gaze fixed squarely on Arabella.

"Everyone seems curious about who I am — it's really nothing special." Regina paused, glancing around with a touch of shyness, then continued, "I'm just the Obelon Family's—"

Before she could finish, a voice cut through from behind the crowd.

"What did you say?"

Arabella's voice was just loud enough for the onlookers to hear.

Seeing it was the Obelon Family's daughter who had spoken, the crowd quickly parted to let her through.

Arabella twirled her car keys in one hand and walked forward slowly, her sharp eyes fixed on Regina. "What exactly were you about to say you are to the Obelon Family?"

Regina's expression stiffened. A wave of unease rushed through her.

But she pushed it down fast. With Winston and the others backing her up, Arabella wouldn't be blunt enough to announce in front of everyone that she was the housekeeper's daughter.

The moment that thought settled her nerves—

Arabella's voice hit like a thunderclap.

"Can't find the words? That's fine, I'll explain." The corners of Arabella's mouth curved into the faintest smile, but her eyes were dark and stormy. "This is Regina — my family's housekeeper's daughter."

In her past life, she had let Regina use the Obelon Family name to make friends everywhere, build her little circle, and then turn every one of those tactics — the splitting, the exclusion — against her.

If it hadn't been for her one true friend who stayed by her side through it all, she never would have survived those moments of hostility and deliberate cruelty.

This time, she was exposing Regina's identity right here, right now, in front of everyone — making it impossible for her to use the Obelon Family name to build any kind of group to use against her.

"Oh, the housekeeper's daughter — your mom must have been paid really well if you can afford all those designer brands."

The warmth drained visibly from the faces around them.

"Right, the benefits must be great if they're spending that kind of money."

Arabella shook her head. "Her mother passed away. There was no one to look after her, so my brothers took her in so she'd still have a chance at an education. In return, she took over her mother's position working for the Obelon Family."

"Wait — so she's basically a housekeeper too?"

No one could tell exactly where that voice came from, but the moment it landed, Regina's face darkened fast.

"I thought she was some socialite with all that flair — turns out she's just a housekeeper putting on a big show. Who exactly was she trying to fool?"

In an instant, voices came from every direction — dismissive, scornful, questioning whether Regina had some ulterior motive all along.

Regina stood frozen, her face drained of color. The blood in her veins felt like it had turned to ice. Every admiring look that had been on her moments ago had flipped into contempt.

Her hand at her side curled into a fist without her realizing it, her sharp nails digging into her palm.

Right now, only the sharp pain was keeping her head clear.

She had assumed Arabella's nature wouldn't allow her to expose someone like this in front of so many people. On top of that, Winston and the others had told her to look after herself — how could Arabella just publicly announce who she was? And call her their housekeeper, no less?

Regina was furious, but she wasn't about to blow up at Arabella in front of this crowd. That wasn't her style.

She took a slow breath and reset herself.

"I'm sorry, Arabella. I've embarrassed you." Regina blinked, and tears began falling like a tap had been turned on.

"I know my brothers meant well today — having me dress like this and sending me in the car — they just didn't want anyone looking down on me for being a transfer student. Arabella, I worked so hard to get this chance to study here. I won't waste it." She paused. "If you'd rather not have me in the same class as you, I can ask Winston to move me to a different one."

As she spoke, she dropped her gaze, her face a picture of innocence and vulnerability — as if in that moment, it was Arabella who had rallied everyone against her.

This was Regina's signature move. Arabella watched without expression, curious to see how long she could keep it up.

Under that steady gaze, Regina's tearful act faltered. She froze, her hand still hovering near the corner of her eye, her heart hammering.

In the past, whenever she played the victim, Arabella would always cave — if only to save face in front of others.

A heavy silence fell. The murmuring around them kept coming, each comment landing like a blow to her head.

"Or—" her voice dropped smaller, her eyes careful and tentative, "—do you just not want to see me at school at all?"

"Come on, Arabella doesn't seem like that kind of person."

"Who knows, really. One's the Obelon Family's daughter, the other's just the housekeeper's daughter, stuck in the same class — maybe she thinks it's beneath her."

"Look how careful she's being around her. Has Arabella been pulling rank and bullying her at home?"

"Of course not." Arabella looked directly at the person who had said it.

In her past life, thanks to Regina's lies, she had become the villain — someone who bullied and tormented Regina at home. And every time those accusations came up, she never knew how to respond.

Back then, Regina would always say, "They've misunderstood you. Let me go explain."

The conviction in her voice, the way she acted like she was fighting in Arabella's corner — it was all still crystal clear. But those explanations never came. Not once. Not until the day she died.

This time, she didn't need to wait for anyone else to speak for her.

"Regina has such wonderful qualities — what would I possibly have against her? And she's capable too. Her housework is every bit as good as her mother's."