Chapter 8 Favoritism

To Winston, her words sounded like pure resentment — she had a problem with Regina simply because she felt she wasn't getting enough attention anymore.

But Arabella had been born with everything, while Regina hadn't. On top of that, they had promised Rena they would take good care of Regina.

If Arabella kept up this attitude, Regina's life in the Obelon Family wasn't going to be easy.

"Stop right there!" Winston's voice rang out with sharp authority, a heavy pressure radiating from him and spreading through the air.

Arabella knew Winston well enough to recognize that he was furious.

But she didn't think she had done anything to deserve this kind of reaction.

"Is this what the Obelon Family's values taught you — to be so arrogant and dismissive? Arabella, you already have more than enough. There's no reason to be so petty about the little bit that Regina has."

Arabella's pupils trembled slightly. Memories from her past life came flooding back like a tide, and the sharp sting of a blood draw needle piercing her pale arm seemed to appear once again.

The "little bit" Regina had — it was so much more than that. She hadn't just taken her place in the Obelon Family, or her brothers. She had taken her life.

All it took was playing the victim, putting on a fragile and helpless act, and she had stolen everything from her so easily.

In her past life, she had been foolish. When her brothers accused her, she had exhausted herself trying to explain — only to be met with nothing but doubt.

What was the point of explaining yourself to people who never believed you in the first place?

"If that's what you think, then fine — call me petty."

She suddenly backed down. Winston was thrown off for a moment. His lips moved slightly as he spoke: "If you know you're being small-minded, then work on it. Arabella, Regina is about to start school. You two have spent a lot of time together, and she just lost her mother. You should look out for her."

It wasn't a request. It was the kind of moral pressure that left no room for refusal.

Normally, Arabella would have pushed back. But right now she didn't have the energy.

She gave a careless nod. "Got it."

Winston's expression softened a little at that. He said quietly, "Regina has to check in tomorrow morning. When you go, take her with you and tell the driver to wait a bit."

Arabella's brow furrowed slightly. Without thinking, she reached into her pocket and touched the driver's license she had tucked away.

Take Regina to school?

Not a chance.

The next morning, Arabella was up early.

By seven o'clock, she had already taken a car out of the garage and left.

She was already at school by the time Regina, still back at the Obelon Family house, was just getting out of bed. Regina took her time washing up, then went to the dining room for breakfast, and only headed out when she figured the timing was about right.

She had heard Winston tell Arabella to wait for her the night before, so there was no way Arabella would leave first.

Regina felt that since she had earned so many privileges with the three Obelon brothers, she had every right to make Arabella feel it — no matter how unwilling Arabella was, she had to stand there and wait.

But when she finally strolled out to the front door, she froze.

There was no car anywhere.

A breeze swept through, sending fallen leaves skittering across the ground. Then came a sharp, demanding voice: "Where's the car?"

Regina jogged over to the butler standing nearby and demanded an answer.

The butler, who was always treated with respect in the Obelon household, felt a flicker of irritation at her rude, accusatory tone — but his professionalism held. He gave a slight bow and said calmly, "The three Mr. Obelons have already driven to the office."

Since Regina had been spending a lot of time with the three brothers lately, the butler naturally assumed she was asking about them.

"I'm not talking about my brothers. I'm talking about Arabella! Winston told her to wait for me at the door!" Regina was starting to panic. She had deliberately dragged her feet to put Arabella in her place.

It was almost eight o'clock. If she didn't make it to school before the first class started, it would ruin the impression she was trying to make on her teachers and classmates.

The butler was startled by the look on her face — teeth clenched, barely holding it together. Was this really the same girl who always seemed so gentle and sweet?

"I'm talking to you!" Regina snapped, her voice slipping out of control.

The butler came back to himself and shook his head slightly. "I'm afraid I don't know the details, but Miss Arabella Obelon drove out just after seven."

"Seven? She had the driver leave without me?" Regina hadn't caught that the butler said Arabella had driven herself — she just assumed Arabella had sent the driver away.

Her expression darkened.

She had heard with her own ears last night when Arabella agreed to go to school with her, and now here she was, abandoned first thing in the morning.

The brothers were all at work, the driver was gone, and class was about to start. Arabella had clearly done this on purpose.

The thought sent a wave of fury rising through her chest.

"Arabella left me behind on purpose!" she said through gritted teeth, hands balled into tight fists.

Nearby, the butler hadn't quite caught it. "I beg your pardon? Miss Regina Hayes, what did you say?"

Being addressed as "Miss Regina Hayes" pulled her back from the edge of her rage.

She took a deep breath and forced the anger down. Her sharp nails dug into her palms.

The sting kept her focused. She hadn't been with the Obelon Family long — she couldn't afford to make enemies, not even with the staff.

But Arabella had the nerve to just leave her behind like this. She was going to make her pay for it.

After all, Regina was the one the Obelon Family doted on most right now.

"Never mind. I just meant that it makes sense Arabella didn't want to make the driver wait for me. I'll get to school on my own. Please don't mention this to Winston or the others — they'll only worry." Regina's mood shifted with startling speed.

By the time she turned to face the butler, her expression had already shifted to one of quiet hurt. She smiled at him, clutching her school bag, and added, "Winston has always been so concerned about me getting to school. I don't want to be a burden. Arabella probably just isn't used to it yet. I'll be fine."

Every word Regina said was carefully aimed at reminding the butler that she was the one Winston truly cared about.

Someone in the butler's position was loyal above all else to the head of the household. If she framed it this way, he would almost certainly pass it along to Winston.

And once Winston knew, he would make sure Arabella heard about it.

With that thought, the tightness in her chest eased a little.

Half an hour later, Regina walked to the nearest bus stop and caught a ride to school.

Summit Academy had an exceptional record when it came to discipline — tardiness was almost unheard of, especially among this group.

A new transfer student showing up late on her very first day quickly stirred up a wave of talk among the students.

But this was the advanced class, after all. The gossip faded fast, and everyone was far more focused on whether this next round of exams would finally knock the top student off her throne.

"Arabella, the placement test is next period. Don't tell me you're going to come in first again."