Chapter 302 You’re Giving Me All the Kids—Aren’t You Afraid I’ll Run Away?

Chapter 302 You’re Giving Me All the Kids—Aren’t You Afraid I’ll Run Away?

Jade had confirmed Arabella's identity. Seeing the public uproar reach such heights with no response from her daughter, she played another ruthless card.

She accepted several interviews, crying and sobbing on camera about the hardship of searching for her daughter all these years.

Arabella gripped her phone tightly, watching that pitiful, tearful video, suppressing the repulsion and disgust rising within her.

"What mother doesn't miss her child... I didn't not want to find her, I truly had unspeakable difficulties..."

"I know she must have had a hard life. I'm here now to make it up to her... I have the means now to provide her with a comfortable life, to let her live like she's on top of the world..."

"Arabella... Mom knows you'll see this video. Mom doesn't ask for forgiveness, Mom just wants to see you, sweetheart... Don't hide anymore, come out and see Mom, okay?"

Arabella had been staying in the penthouse these past days. With meals and necessities delivered to her door, she had no need to go out. So no matter how skilled the netizens were, they couldn't dig up where she was hiding.

But the whole affair didn't gradually die down due to her absence—instead, the buzz remained sky-high.

Her high-society marriage to Gabriel had long been exposed by internet sleuths. Then somehow rumors spread that she'd been kicked out of the wealthy family for cheating on her husband.

In an instant, even more filth was flung her way.

Not wanting her mood affected, Arabella barely looked at her phone these past few days, except when contacting Ella.

This video was brought to her attention by Gabriel after he took a phone call.

Sure enough, after watching it, her mood grew even worse.

The woman in the video had a fair, beautiful face. Under the beauty filter's enhancement, time had left no trace—she could pass for thirty.

That face was almost identical to the mother in her memories.

Especially compared to that old photograph at home, the one Grandma had cut in half—the features and bone structure were remarkably similar.

It really was her.

Arabella felt no joy whatsoever, only hatred—overwhelming hatred!

If she'd died long ago, her heart would be more at peace.

But the truth was she hadn't died. She'd returned home in glory and splendor. This didn't excite or delight Arabella—instead, it stirred up the resentment and rage she'd long buried.

If she hadn't left without a word back then, Grandpa and Grandma could have lived a few more years. She wouldn't have lived so miserably, forced to grow up so young, shouldering the burden of supporting the family while being mocked and bullied by everyone around her.

As a woman herself, and as a mother, she couldn't understand Jade—much less forgive her!

Gabriel saw her staring at the phone without a word, her hand clenched so tightly around it that it trembled, her eyes burning with such intense hatred it seemed to catch fire. His heart ached for her.

He reached out and took the phone from her palm, exiting the video. Looking at her, he asked gently, "Have you decided? Do you want to meet her? From the looks of it, you can't avoid this."

Like a puppet, Arabella shook her head. "No."

Her tone was low but resolute.

These past few days, Ella had also been trying to persuade her, but she was adamant, unable to swallow her pride.

Why should someone who abandoned her child without a word get to demand a meeting whenever they wanted?

Gabriel saw her determination. Sitting down before her, he continued softly, "How about... I send you abroad? You can stay overseas for a few months. When she can't find you, she'll naturally give up."

Arabella looked up at him. "Abroad?"

That was actually an option.

But if she went, she wouldn't be able to see the children for a while—unless Gabriel agreed to let her take the twins with her.

After hesitating, she asked quietly, "What about the two children?"

Gabriel understood what she meant and said directly, "If you can't bear to leave them, take them with you."

Arabella was shocked. "Aren't you afraid I'll run away with the children?"

He smiled. "You're one person with two babies under a year old. How would you run? You couldn't even support them on your own."

So Gabriel wasn't worried at all about entrusting the children to her.

In fact, he thought that once abroad, he could visit whenever he had time. The whole family could treat it like an overseas vacation, enjoying some leisurely relaxation. It sounded rather nice.

This proposal made Arabella's heart race.

"If you agree, I'll start making arrangements. We could leave within a week at the earliest," Gabriel said, seeing her interest and encouraging her further.

Arabella nodded. "Alright."

Gabriel acted immediately, picking up his phone to make calls.

These past two or three days, the two of them had been together morning and night without the children interrupting—a quiet world for just the two of them that was simply wonderful.

It had even improved Mr. Sterling's temper considerably. He was pleasant and good-natured all day long.

He was even somewhat grateful to Jade.

If not for her appearance, he wouldn't have been able to corner this stubborn little wildcat into his arms.

Gabriel walked away, and Arabella checked the time. Nearly noon—she should start preparing lunch.

She'd just stood up when her phone rang—not a call, but a Facebook video request.

From Sophia.

Arabella figured she was also calling to alert her about that pitiful video online, so she accepted without much hesitation.

However, the image on her phone screen wasn't right-side up, nor was it Sophia.

It was very noisy on the other end, and the voice sounded familiar.

Listening carefully, wasn't that the same voice from the tearful video just now?

Jade!

She... she'd actually tracked down the studio!

Arabella froze completely, gripping her phone as she stood by the dining table, watching the confrontation unfolding on screen.

Ella said, "Please leave. This is our workplace. You have no right to barge in here."

"You're Ella, right? You're a single mother raising a child yourself. Starting a business isn't easy. I won't make things difficult for you. Just give me my daughter's contact information, and I'll leave immediately."

Jade, dressed like a wealthy society lady and wearing a complete set of pearl jewelry that rather suited her name, spoke with what appeared to be considerable refinement.

Seeing that face again, Arabella's emotions, which had barely settled, quickly churned up once more.

Though Ella had been urging Arabella to respond to this matter, Arabella had remained hesitant and hadn't agreed.

So facing Jade's demands, she refused without hesitation. "I'm sorry, I won't betray my friend! If she hasn't responded, it means she doesn't want to see you and won't forgive you. If you have any conscience left, you should leave Luminara immediately and give her some peace."

"Ms. Marie, you're also a mother. If you were separated from your daughter for decades, wouldn't you be heartbroken and in pain, sick with longing?"

Ella replied bluntly, "Even if I ended up sleeping on the streets and picking through trash, I would never abandon my daughter."

Jade smiled sadly, full of self-pity. "I did wrong, but everyone makes mistakes... I regret it now. Why can't I be given a chance to make amends..."