Chapter 6 Serves You Right

Ariel gave a faint smile. Her dark, glossy eyes were wide and bright, piercing with a deep, chilling intensity, as if they could see straight through her soul. Portia felt an inexplicable shiver in her heart as she was held captive by her gaze, which was as lifeless as a corpse's. Realizing she had almost been intimidated by a country bumpkin, she pointed at the girl's counterfeit Converse sneakers that Lucia had salvaged from a trash heap. “Take off those ragged shoes,” she snapped. “Clean your smelly feet before you come in. If you dare to dirty my floor, you'll regret it!” After she finished speaking, she turned around with a proud sway of her slender waist and strutted into the house. Unfazed, Ariel strode in with a determined pace. “Didn't you hear me when I asked you to take off your shoes and wipe your feet?” Portia yelled in frustration as she saw her walk in directly. “Just look at how your dirty feet have soiled the floor. Can you imagine how many germs you've brought in? Go to the storage room, grab a towel, and clean the floor for me. If it's not spotless, you're not eating today!” Ariel glanced around the mansion and asked indifferently, “Where's my ID card?” The host's memories informed her that in the present world, one needed an ID card to get around, and her proof of identity was at the White residence. With a proud and cold laugh, Portia said, “What, you think the White family isn't good enough for you? You're aspiring to associate with Samson instead?” She had already heard about the incident that took place at the hotel last night. She heard that Ariel actually threw herself at Samson in public, which was utterly shameless. “Do you really think you're worthy of Samson? He comes from the prestigious Lovell family of Jacaster. There's no way he'd ever be interested in a country bumpkin like you. True, since Christopher rejected you and called off your marriage, you have to find someone else. Sadly, you picked the wrong man. Samson is notorious for being a jinx. Anyone who gets close to him ends up unlucky. By clinging to him, you've surely brought bad luck upon yourself. Once you've cleaned up, go sleep in the doghouse in the yard. We don't want you spreading your misfortune to us.” Ariel's patience had finally run out. She pushed Portia aside and headed straight upstairs. Startled by her touch, Portia let out a sharp scream. In a rush, she grabbed the alcohol spray bottle and vigorously disinfected the area where she had been touched. Upon hearing the commotion, Zayne emerged and saw Ariel heading upstairs. He quickly reprimanded her in a stern tone, “Who gave you permission to come upstairs? Didn't you hear what Portia said? Get out of here. You bring nothing but bad luck!” Portia sneered, “Country folks really lack manners! She's just arrived at her new home and she's already itching to possess nice things. A child like this surely can't keep their hands clean. If we let her stay in our home, wouldn't she just steal all our valuable things?” Zayne's face was clouded with displeasure as he questioned Ariel, “Did you just brush off everything I said to you?” This daughter was naturally a thorn in his side. Had it not been for the Fletcher family taking her back to Yannopolis, he wouldn't have bothered with this nuisance at all. He certainly didn't want such a disgraceful daughter to disrupt the happy life of their family of three. Seeing Ariel's relaxed posture as she casually leaned against the stairs, combined with her carefree attitude of not taking him seriously, only made Zayne more furious. “I told you to get out of the house and kneel in the courtyard!” Ariel watched as Zayne turned red in the face. She couldn't help but let out a chuckle. “Whoever wants to stay in this dump can stay. I'm just here for my ID card.” Despite its lavish decor, the White residence exuded an ominous aura. It was a place tainted by hidden filth and misfortune. She wouldn't even entertain the thought of staying. Portia sarcastically remarked, “Hubby, did you hear that? Better give her ID card back quickly. Don't keep her from catching a rich husband.” Frankly, Zayne had no desire to see her. He decisively grabbed her ID card and, without a second thought, pulled out a stack of cash from his wallet, tossing it in her direction. “Fine, if you want to leave, I'm not stopping you. Go on, get a cab, and head back to the countryside. The city isn't for you. And don't come back and embarrass yourself again!” Ariel took the ID card, giving him a sarcastic glance. In a nonchalant tone, she said, “Your household is doomed. You'll be bankrupt within a year.” After she finished speaking, she lightly stepped over the scattered bills on the ground, leaving the White residence without looking back. “Hubby, did you hear what your country girl of a daughter just said? She actually cursed our family to go bankrupt.” Portia laughed in disbelief. “Christopher is about to become the son-in-law of the White family. With the support of Fletcher Corporation, the White family's company will only continue to thrive and rise to new heights!” Zayne was actually relieved. He couldn't care less about what Ariel had said. All that mattered was that she left Yannopolis and stopped being an eyesore. Otherwise, her dark, glossy eyes always reminded him of his late wife, who had tragically died in a car accident. A chill breeze swept in, causing Zayne to shiver slightly, but he didn't think much of it. He affectionately wrapped his arms around Portia's waist, chuckling. “At least she had the decency not to stick around. Don't be angry, my love. Come, give me a kiss.” The two of them, locked in an embrace, entered the bedroom. In a place unseen by them, a woman stood by the bed, her features disfigured, limbs contorted, and face smeared with blood. Her eyes, filled with the same crimson hue, watched them coldly and ominously as they exercised. When Ariel walked into the real estate sales office, she was met with disdain from the saleswomen. Not a single one offered her assistance. Even a security guard approached her, menacingly trying to usher her out. “You're not going to take a deal that's practically handed to you?” she asked indifferently, waving the check in her hand. At this point, everyone's expressions changed instantly. They quickly began treating her with the utmost respect. “Where is the most expensive mansion in this city?” she casually inquired, lounging on the couch with her legs crossed, leisurely sipping her coffee. “The most expensive mansion in Yannopolis is Pinnacle Pearl. This mansion complex is not only the largest but also holds the highest market value...” The saleswoman had barely finished her words when Ariel decisively made her decision. “I'll take the largest mansion available. Hand me the pen.” Although the host had never been to school, the principal of the most rundown elementary school in the village couldn't bear to see her illiterate. Behind Lucia's back, he had secretly taught her how to read and write. Therefore, the host was not truly illiterate. It was just that the knowledge she had learned was simply not applicable in Lucia's household. She only had to remember one word: work. Ariel casually penned a string of numbers on the check. The saleswoman's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw the amount. There are nine digits! My eyes are going blurry! Unexpectedly, this unimpressive-looking young lady turns out to be quite wealthy. Suddenly, a news broadcast began playing on the television in the hall. “At five o'clock this morning, Christopher Fletcher, the CEO of Fletcher Corporation, along with his car, plunged into a ditch under construction on Phoenix Road. He has been rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. We would like to remind the public not to drink and drive and to adhere to traffic regulations. Failure to do so could bring tears to the eyes of your loved ones...” Ariel glanced at the photo of Christopher displayed on the television. She couldn't help but laugh. “You refused to listen to my advice, and now you've fallen into a ditch. Serves you right!”