Chapter 15: Ugly Duckling

"Kristy, what's wrong? Who bullied you?" Bella Evans's face was full of concern. She walked over to Kristy Cole's side and patted her shoulder.

When Kristy Cole saw Bella Evans, she felt like she was looking at someone from her own family. She wiped her tears and said, "Sister-in-law, you're finally back."

"Kristy, why are you crying? What happened? Did Rhea Vale bully you? Don't worry, I won't let her bully you." Bella Evans looked around and saw that there were two teacups. She was certain that Kristy Cole had been bullied, which was why she was crying so fiercely.

Kristy Cole shook her head. She could not tell Bella Evans what Riven Ashford had said, so she stood up and stopped her. "Sister-in-law, no one bullied me. Don't go."

"Yes, yes. The two of them shouldn't be at home." It made sense. Today was the day that Rhea Vale and Riven Ashford were returning home. She could not tell whether they had even arrived yet. Bella Evans felt that she had been too impulsive. She had pushed the blame onto Rhea Vale.

Before Bella Evans could finish her introspection, Kristy Cole deliberately said, "She's already back. Sister-in-law, please don't stand up for me. She's not someone to be trifled with. She still plans to..." Kristy stuttered, then looked at Bella Evans with evasive eyes.

Bella Evans had a one-track mind. Kristy Cole's words made her angry, and she continued to ask, "What does she plan to do?"

"Rhea Vale plans to be the female head of the Ashford family. Just now, she tried to curry favor with Mr. Ashford. Mr. Ashford said that you're too narrow-minded and that you aren't suitable to be the female head of the Ashford family." Kristy Cole continued to stutter.

Bella Evans's anger was completely ignited. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth as she asked Kristy Cole, "Is that really the case?"

"Sister-in-law, you mustn't tell her that I told you this. I'm afraid that she will fan the flames with Mr. Ashford. In the future, I won't be able to enter the Ashford family's residence. Such a powerful and scheming woman like her isn't suitable to stay by Riven's side." Kristy stopped crying, but she continued to sow discord.

Kristy Cole knew Bella Evans's weakness. Seeing that Bella's anger had not reached its peak, she continued, "Sister-in-law, she's going to take the power of the Ashford family away from you. It's obvious that she won't allow your son to have any shares of the Ashford Corporation in the future. Sister-in-law, the Ashford Corporation belongs to the Ashford family. Although I love Riven, I'm not a greedy person. Riven has a share of the Ashford Corporation, big brother has a share, and Ryan Ashford is the eldest grandson of the Ashford family. He should have a share too. But there's nothing I can do. Now that Rhea Vale is here, I'm no longer allowed here without a prior invitation. You must be careful in everything you do."

Kristy Cole had been friends with Bella Evans for many years, so she naturally understood her worries. Bella's greatest fear was that the Ashford Corporation would one day be completely under Riven Ashford's control, and that her son, Ryan Ashford, would no longer have a place in it.

Kristy Cole deliberately said these words to Bella Evans, just to sow discord between her and Rhea Vale. She knew that Riven Ashford did not love her, but she just could not swallow this anger.

…

After saying these words, Kristy Cole left the house, feeling wronged. Once Bella Evans could no longer see her, her face instantly changed. Her eyes, which had been red from crying, were now filled with viciousness. She definitely wanted to get Rhea Vale kicked out of the Ashford family.

She wanted to use Bella Evans to make sure that the Ashford family would never have peace. She wanted to chase away Rhea Vale. She wanted to make Old Master Ashford and Riven Ashford regret it! As she thought this over, Kristy Cole started the car and left.

At dinner, Rhea Vale had already completely adapted to the Ashford family's lifestyle. She washed her hands before eating.

Bella Evans sat opposite her. No matter how she looked at Rhea Vale, she still did not like her. She said, "There are things in this world that I don't understand. Tell me, why did an ugly duckling sneak into the group of white swans and humiliate herself? Today, when I went out, I encountered an interesting incident. An ugly duckling snuck into the group of white swans in the park. It was really very funny."

When Bella Evans said this, her gaze never left Rhea Vale. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that she was mocking Rhea Vale's family background and insinuating something.

After Rhea Vale washed her hands, she sat quietly beside Riven Ashford. Riven glanced at the silent girl beside him, then at his sister-in-law across from him. He realized that the two of them were looking at each other.

"There's more! Mrs. Watson went out with me today. She brought her poodle along, and a dirty mutt approached us. It wanted to play with Mrs. Watson's poodle, but it really didn't have a discerning eye. It didn't even have the least bit of self-awareness. What a coincidence! That mutt's name seemed to be Rhea. I almost bought that dog just so I could give it to Rhea!" Bella Evans saw that Rhea Vale showed no reaction at all, so she continued.