Chapter 19 I Want to Protect Youl
Jovan was silent for a while, and Ruth was nervous at the same time.
“That’s the day of Leo’s kindergarten open house, so I’ll be putting all my work on hold.”
To her surprise, he actually bothered to explain.
Ruth sighed with relief.
Jovan was family–oriented and hardworking, especially involved in his children’s education. Only someone who loved their children deeply would kindly sponsor other children.
Ariella’s earlier words must have been meant to drive a wedge between her and Jovan!
She must expose Ariella’s lie!
It seemed like he knew she was on the phone with Jovan, so Leonel stopped crying.
She bent down and picked up Leonel.
“Mr. Leonel, let’s go home first.”
Because of Jovan’s explanation, she felt a bit guilty towards Leonel.
After all, he was just a five–year–old, so how could he be compared to those bad people in the mountains?
Leonel looked upset, “Why didn’t you tell Dad? Mom was really mean just now. If Dad confronts her, Mom will apologize to me!”
Ruth was stunned.“Huh?”
“She just said those harsh words to you. Aren’t you angry? She’s always mean to me too, and it’s so annoying.”
Just now Leonel said he wanted his mom, but now he found her annoying.
Ruth couldn’t understand Leonel’s thinking, so she thought for a moment and said.
“I’m not angry at all. She just doesn’t want me to think less of her, so she said all that stuff.”
Leonel didn’t understand their conversation at all, so he had no clue why Ruth would say something like that.
“She’s just spouting nonsense! Hmph, you’re no help at all. If Auntie Layla were here, she’d totally have my back with my mom!”
Ruth stared at him, totally caught off guard.
She had interacted with Leonel before, and back when Ariella was around, he was always so humble and polite, adored by everyone. But now…
“Mr. Leonel, I think your attitude towards Mrs. Hensley…”
“Don’t bring her up. I’m starving!”
Seeing his refusal to talk, Ruth could only give up.“Okay, I’ll take you to get something to eat first.”
***
“Mom, I believe you.”
Raul, sitting in the taxi, suddenly spoke up.
Ariella was surprised and didn’t understand him.
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Chapter 19 I Want to Protect You2
Raul hugged her seriously.
“I believe you’re the one who sponsored that Ms. Herring.”
Ariella’s heart warmed. She rubbed his head.“Why?”
Raul stood up straight, looking serious.
“I just have a feeling. You wouldn’t lie about something this important.”
Ariella was taken aback.
“Did you understand what we said?”
签到得市
Raul nodded. “Back at the orphanage, we had a lot of kind people visit us. They were really nice, and you’re just like them, Mom.”
Ariella was more surprised.
Orphanage?
Wasn’t Rauly the prison guard’s son?
How could he live in an orphanage?
“Rauly, were you in the orphanage since childhood? Then why did you call Melany Mom?”
Raul looked up at her with admiration.
“Melany adopted me. The director told me Melany is a wonderful person, and that I would be too.”
His voice trembled with tears.
“But Melany died, and I have to go back.
“Mom, I don’t want to go back. The kids will bully me.”
Raul hugged her tightly.
“Mom, please don’t send me back.”
Ariella felt a wave of sympathy wash over her, accompanied by a deep sense of heartbreak.
“You are my son. I won’t send you back.
“Let’s depend on each other, okay?”
Raul nodded seriously.
“Mom, I want to be a superhero and protect you!”
Ruth’s provocation had upset him.
He wanted to grow up fast to protect his mom.
Ariella smiled, relieved.
She had worried about Melany’s relatives taking Raul.
Knowing his background, she felt better.
She realized it wasn’t that Raul couldn’t leave her and rely on living with her.
Instead, it was she who couldn’t leave Raul.
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Inspired, she painted a portrait of them and hung it at home,
After putting Raul to bed, she focused on designing.
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The next day, she handed over the design to Gwenda, who praised her work. It was her first compliment at the
company.
Gwenda convened a department meeting and used Ariella’s design as an example, aiming for everyone to learn from her approach.
Recently praised highly, Ariella received some resentful looks.
But Ariella didn’t mind. She just thanked Gwenda and asked for time off.
“My son has a sports day at kindergarten, and I promised to be there.”
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Chapter 19 I Want to Protect You3
Gwenda checked her notebook.
“Okay, I was to go with Mr. Cooley to a ribbon–cutting, but it’s postponed by a week.
“In that case, I can cover your work.”
She took out a pen and signed the leave form.
“Ariella, you have dark circles. Have you been staying up late drawing?”
Ariella smiled awkwardly, “I’m a bit of a slow starter, so I have to put in the effort.”
Gwenda laughed, “I’m pleased with your effort. You’ll also attend the ribbon–cutting,”
Ariella was surprised.“But I…”
“It’s fine. You deserve recognition for your hard work, and Mr. Cooley also saw and valued your talent. The golf course lounge design will be entrusted to you as well.”
Ariella’s eyes widened.
“Gwenda, I really want to show what I can do and get some recognition, but this design project is just way too big for me to tackle by myself.”
Gwenda smiled and said, “Then why don’t you pick some people to help you out?*
Ariella was stunned.“Pick some people?”
“Yeah, go ahead and pick your team. But remember, if anyone doesn’t pull their weight, I won’t hesitate to let them go.”
-Ariella nodded and quickly made her selections.
Gwenda announced it to the department.
Those chosen were usually friendly with Ariella.
Those who had been mean to her deeply regretted it.
From then on, Ariella established herself in the Cooley Group.
In a restaurant opposite the Hensley Group.
Lailah sat across from Jovan, talking about her upcoming birthday.
Jovan was stunned and asked his assistant to get a diamond necklace from the car.
He had waited, but Ariella didn’t message or call him to ask for it.
He thought she was just pretending not to care.
So, he wouldn’t take the initiative to go to her and end up getting the cold shoulder.
“Is this for me?”
Seeing the necklace, Lailah’s eyes sparkled with joy.
Before Jovan could speak, she put it on.
“Does it look good?”
She stood and turned around.
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The elegant white Chanel–style dress with sparkling diamonds looked stunning.
Jovan was distracted.“Yes.”
Lailah was surprised, but she observed that he was annoyed.
“Layla, you should wear it and join me at Leo’s sports day.”
