Chapter 196

Chapter 196 Are They Bullying You Arielle answered coldly, “I had no recollection of you the last time. This time, given that you are wearing diamonds the size of pigeon eggs, you really look different too. Next time, I’ll just remember you as the pigeon egg lady.”

Kelsea’s expression darkened at once.

“Shut up! Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m one of the Morgans!”

Kelsea’s friends felt indignant on her behalf.

“You really are an impudent girl from the village. You have no shame at all!”

“Exactly! The chess tournament is going to start soon. If you don’t want to be kicked out, you’d better leave voluntarily now.”

When Kelsea heard how her friends ridiculed Arielle, her mood improved tremendously.

She was looking forward to the moment when Arielle would be asked to leave.

So what if she is Vinson’s companion?

Given that playing chess is a long-time tradition of the Haut Monde, she would be asked to leave in the event she loses even if she is Vinson’s guest.

By then, she will be humiliated and won’t dare to show her face in Jadeborough anymore.

Holding that thought, Kelsea pretended to show some concern. “Enough, everyone. It wasn’t her choice to grow up in a village. If you happen to play against her later, remember to take it easy, so that she wouldn’t lose the game too badly.”

The girls laughed together. “We do want to help her. But, if she doesn’t know how to arrange the pieces or even their names, there’s very little we can do about it.”

Arielle found their words amusing. Even if all of them were rolled into one, they wouldn’t even come close to beating her still.

Tucking aside the stray hair over her forehead, she plainly replied, “Since the few of you know how to play, I will see you at the chessboard later.”

Just as she spoke, Vinson came back.

When he saw Arielle being surrounded, he quickly returned to her side.

Standing in front of her to protect her subconsciously, he glared frostily at the group.

As the socialites felt a chill down their spine, all of them fell silent at once.

Only Kelsea, on the account she was Carter’s cousin, dared to greet Vinson. “Vinson…”

She was aware that he and Carter were good friends. Hence, she expected him to at least show her some respect on Carter’s account.

However, Vinson ignored her as if she was invisible.

Feeling humiliated, Kelsea bit her lip in shame.

All she saw was Vinson turning to ask Arielle in a protective tone. “Are they bullying you?”

When Kelsea saw how gently Vinson spoke to Arielle, she bit her lip even harder, to the extent it lost all color.

She had a crush on Vinson since they were young. However, she never dared confess her feelings as she felt no one in Jadeborough was worthy of him.

Since nobody ever snagged him, she too resigned herself to fate.

Unfortunately, when she saw how much concern Vinson was showing Arielle, which had never happened to anyone else before, she felt as if her world had imploded.

As hatred welled up within her, both her hands clenched into fists.

When Arielle heard Vinson’s reassuring words, her heart melted inexplicably.

Shaking her head, she replied with a smile. “No, they didn’t bully me. Instead, we were talking about the chess tournament.”

“I see.” Vinson nodded. Ignoring Kelsea and the others, he continued, “There’s a friend whom I would like you to meet. Come with me.”

“Sure.” Arielle nodded before leaving with Vinson.

Once both of them had left, Kelsea and her friends began to chatter incessantly.

“Why does Mr. Nightshire fancy someone from the village? Are looks everything? I can’t believe it!”

“That aside, I must admit there’s really no one prettier than her.”

“Didn’t her mom use to be the prettiest girl in Jadeborough? It appears she has taken after her mom.”

“Huh, if only I was half as pretty as her. I wouldn’t have lost to Yvette during the beauty contest…”

Kelsea’s expression darkened when she heard their discussion. Unable to bear it anymore, she barked, “Enough! Stop talking about it!”