Chapter 191: Not Much Better Either, It Seems
"Okay, okay. I’ll leave it to you, Brandon."
Brandon was a reliable person. Now that he’d said so, Arabella felt at ease.
Often, it wasn’t that the perpetrator’s methods were particularly brilliant or sophisticated. It was simply because the victim had their guard completely down, which is what led to tragedy.
This was the main reason why a backstabbing from someone close to you was doubly painful. Once that unconditional trust was lost, these crude tactics would be riddled with flaws and not even worth mentioning.
Having resolved a major worry, Arabella was incredibly happy and even ate a few extra slices of melon.
Seeing this, Mrs. Jennings’s heart softened. ’This child is just too considerate of others; that’s why she has so many worries.’
’Those who question her kindness, twisting it into deliberate provocation, are utterly unworthy of her concern.’
"Let them worry about their own family’s business. We won’t talk about it anymore. I heard from Eugene that you’ve been in Brynn for a while now, Serena, but you haven’t really gone out much. The last time you went shopping with him, you ran into that awful situation, so I imagine the experience wasn’t great. Are you free in a couple of days? Let me clear my schedule, and I’ll take you out myself. How does that sound?"
"Yes, of course! But I have to go out the day after tomorrow. How about we make it the weekend, Auntie?"
"The day after tomorrow? What are you doing?"
"The young master of the jewelry store where all that trouble happened the other day gave me an invitation to the Pavilion of Many Treasures auction. It’s scheduled for the evening of the day after tomorrow. I want to go and see what it’s like, and maybe buy something."
"The Pavilion of Many Treasures auction?" Mrs. Jennings looked questioningly at her husband and Brandon.
Mr. Jennings shook his head awkwardly, a helpless look on his face.
Although their family wasn’t poor, they weren’t quite at the level to attend such an auction.
Brandon, however, thought for a moment before saying, "The Qing Court should have an invitation. You can usually bring a guest to these kinds of auctions. I’ll ask him to take me with him, so I can accompany Serena and we can look out for each other."
Mrs. Jennings’s eyes lit up. Just as she was about to nod and offer a word of advice, she heard Arabella say, "I can bring a guest? Then there’s no need to go to all that trouble. I’ll just take Brandon with me."
Brandon: "...That works too." ’Here we go again,’ he thought. ’This feeling of being carried to an easy win by my little cousin!’
"But Brandon, are you sure you don’t have anything else to do that day? If you’re busy, you really don’t have to come with me. My grand-uncle has already assigned several bodyguards to me for close protection. Besides, I’m just going to broaden my horizons and buy things, not to cause trouble. I don’t need a special escort."
Before Arabella even finished speaking, and before Brandon had a chance to say a word, Mrs. Jennings chimed in first. "What plans could he possibly have? He’s not getting any younger, but I’ve never seen him get a girlfriend and go on a date, go shopping, or see a movie. It’s just work and home every single day. I’m afraid he’s going to die old and alone."
Brandon was speechless. ’I’m just usually too busy for a relationship. Why does it sound like nobody wants me when my mom says it?’
"Your aunt is right. Back when I was his age, this kid here was already old enough to be running errands! And look at him now... useless!"
Brandon was speechless again. ’Talk all you want, but can we not do the whole "put me down to lift yourself up" thing?!’
Hearing his parents gang up on his brother, Eugene Jennings felt not a shred of foreboding. Instead, like a spectator who loves drama, he started fanning the flames.
"Isn’t that the truth? Arabella, tell me, our brother’s got the looks, he’s got the height, he’s so capable, makes good money, and has his life together... so how come no girls have taken a liking to him? It used to make me suspect that maybe he’s... not into women."
Brandon was freaking out. ’No! I’m straight! As straight as an arrow! Not bent at all! Seriously, who have I wronged by being single? Why does it feel like any passing dog can just kick me while I’m down? This is going too far!’
Watching Eugene mercilessly backstab Brandon, Arabella silently glanced over at Brandon Jennings, her heart filled with sympathy.
’Looks like the issue of getting married late really is a hot topic for most parents. Brandon’s being ganged up on by the whole family. How tragic.’
Brandon was at a loss for words. ’Thanks for the sympathy, little cousin. It would be even better if you could hide the gloating in your voice!’
And so, it was settled that Brandon would accompany Arabella to the auction. Eugene wanted to go too, but unfortunately, he had a class the day after tomorrow—and with a professor notorious for failing students, so he couldn’t skip it.
He could only regretfully let this great opportunity to broaden his horizons pass him by. Instead, he instructed his older brother to stick close to their little cousin at all times, to check out what kinds of things were being auctioned, and even if he couldn’t afford anything, to at least get a good look and tell him all about it later.
Brandon was speechless. ’This little brother is so embarrassing. Can I trade him in for a new one?’
After having lunch and eating a ton of fruit at the Jennings’s home, Arabella sauntered back. She had just walked through the door when she saw the two elders, who had been waiting for her.
"Grand-uncle, you didn’t go out today?"
"The end of the year is approaching. Everything that needed doing is done, and the wedding arrangements are almost complete. The rest can be left to our staff. Why would I keep running around outside? Naturally, I should stay home more to keep your grandma company."
Arabella cringed.
’I’m happy you two get along so well, really, but has Grand-uncle forgotten that besides Grandma Preston, there’s also me, a poor, single junior in this house? If I’m going to be home all the time, does this mean I’ll have to watch their public displays of affection every single day?’
Arabella had barely finished her internal complaint when Desmond Donovan earned a glare from Guinevere Preston. He gave an awkward smile and quickly changed the subject. "Did you have a good time at your aunt and uncle’s place today? No trouble, I hope?"
’What gossip did you pick up? Spit it out and let me and your Grandma Preston in on it.’
Arabella sat down next to Guinevere Preston, picked a green jujube from the fruit platter, and took a bite. "Nothing much happened. We just ate, had some fruit, and chatted for a while."
"That’s it?"
"That’s it."
Her two-word reply made the words on the tip of Desmond Donovan’s tongue die in his throat. His gossipy heart was left hanging, but not wanting to arouse her suspicion, he had to suppress his curiosity. It was incredibly frustrating.
Fortunately, as Arabella began to munch on the green jujube, her thoughts started to drift. Without any further prompting from Desmond Donovan, her mind turned to the fresh piece of gossip from her uncle’s house.
’Come to think of it, the whole situation with the Ulrich Family is pretty explosive. The cuckolded father, the mother who eagerly became the mistress in her heartless first love’s affair, the sister who was almost set up in a badger game by her gay boyfriend, and the younger sister who was ruthlessly abandoned by her own father for his benefit... The only one left is the broken brother who managed to escape. But life is long, who knows when your turn will come to meet a weirdo?’
The two elders in the room were silent. ’That *is* explosive! Are family relationships this chaotic for the younger generation these days? Thank goodness our family is simple and doesn’t have all that drama!’
But then they thought about it again... and realized their own family wasn’t that much better.