Chapter 434


    Andrea was dressed in a white cotton-padded dress. Her hair was tied up, which made her look


    youthful and sultry. She also exuded the aura of a pretty and charmingdy.


    When she saw me, she smiled and greeted, "Arianna, you''re back. It''s cold outside. Come over and


    have a cup of hot tea with us!"


    I pursed my lips, but there was no expression on my face. I stared at the two of them and responded,


    "No, thank you. You two can take your time. I''m going back to my room for a rest."


    "Arianna, don''t be in such a hurry. Come and sit with us for a while. I''ve been constantly busy in the


    Granger Manor all these years and I''ve never sat and talked with others like this before. Since we''re all


    here, you should join us!" Sometimes, I especially envied Nerissa for her ability to put on a perfect


    pretense. She could really do whatever she liked without feeling troubled at all.


    As she had made it so clear, there was no reason left for me to reject her. Hence, I walked to the living


    room and sat down.


    While Nerissa was making tea, Andrea had a faint smile on her face. At a nce, the situation was so


    harmonious that it was frightening.


    It seemed as if the three of us were pictureperfect friends, but everyone knew the truth deep within.


    After making tea, Nerissa said softly, "The most ssic procedure of drinking tea is to smell the


    fragrance, but people are so impatient that they often forget this step. Since we aren''t in a hurry today,


    we can take our time to enjoy the tea''s scent. Doesn''t it smell good? It''s ten years old, and truly a rare


    find!"


    I had no interest in tea ceremonies. I slowly picked up the cup and sniffed it. It was truly fragrant, but it


    was alreadyte. Was it appropriate to be tasting tea in the middle of the night?


    Meanwhile, Andrea''s posture was elegant. She sniffed the tea lightly and could not help smiling. "Aunt


    Nerissa, this tea is the best. It''s intoxicating before you even taste it. I''ve begun to look forward to trying


    this quality tea."


    Nerissa smiled at her words. After serving each of us a cup of tea, she prompted in a graceful manner,


    "Have a taste!"


    I only took a sip and then stopped drinking, while Andreamented with a smile, "It''s indeed good


    tea!"


    Truth be told, I admired the both of them. They were still so leisurely and elegant even when drinking


    tea in the middle of the night.


    Seeing that I only drank a small sip of tea, Nerissa asked, "Arianna, don''t you like the tea?"


    I shook my head and replied lightly, "That''s not it. It''s just that I''m not used to drinking tea at night. If I


    drink too much, I''ll be unable to sleep."


    She nodded and said with a smile, "Then, why don''t we drink something else?"


    I shook my head and refused. "No, it''s gettingte. Enjoy yourselves, I''ll go on upstairs to rest."


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Just then, the sound of a car engine shutting off came from outside the yard. Nerissa said with a smile,


    "Hendrix must be back."


    As soon as she finished saying this, Hendrix came in with the car key in hand. He put it on the shoe


    cab and raised his gaze, looking over.


    Seeing Andrea, he frowned but didn''t say anything. Then, he looked at me with a pair of gleaming eyes


    and asked, "Have you had dinner?"


    I nodded curtly and was ready to head upstairs.


    He quickened his pace as he approached me. As soon as I took a few steps, he caught up with me and


    held me in his arms. "What did you do today? Do you have anything interesting to tell me about?"


    I shook my head and remained calm.


    "Hendrix!" Andrea''s soft voice sounded out in a coy tone.


    Hendrix nced at her, his gaze indifferent. "It''s gettingte. Won''t you be going home, Miss Burton?"


    It was obvious that he was chasing away an unwanted guest.


    Andrea''s face went pale for a moment. Then, she opened her mouth and softly replied, "When I


    came..."


    She seemed to be embarrassed to say it, but Nerissa spoke for her, "When Andrea came, she wasn''t


    sent here by a driver. She came with me. It''s veryte now and the vi''s big. It''s not safe for a girl to


    go back alone. Just let her stay here for the night, and she can leave tomorrow."