Chapter 201 - 200: Life really does love its ironies...
Arabella, of course, had other thoughts. She chimed in seriously, sounding far too grown-up for her size.
"Mom, I wasn’t lost."
Vivienne blinked and tilted her head. "Oh? Then what happened?"
Arabella shook her head seriously. Mom. I saw a lady wearing the exact same dress as you, so I followed her. I thought it was you! But then she turned around and I realized—oops, not my mom."
Vivienne blinked in mild disbelief, then let out a breathy laugh, a mixture of relief and exasperation. "Arabella, sweetheart... only you could turn a shopping trip into a grand adventure."
Rex, still quietly observing the mother-daughter exchange with amusement, couldn’t help but be charmed by Arabella’s earnest little explanation. Vivienne, catching his expression, gave a faint chuckle and nodded in gratitude once more.
"Truly... thank you," she said, her voice softer now, more heartfelt.
Just then, one of the suited bodyguards stepped forward and whispered something to Vivienne. She nodded slowly, face growing serious again.
"Also, I owe you an apology—for the guns. My men overreacted. They were just following orders. Arabella’s grandfather sent them out the moment he found out she was missing. When they saw the crowd and saw you holding her... they assumed the worst."
She gestured toward the line of black-clad guards. One of them, an older man with silver streaks in his hair and a build like a stone wall, stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Captain Rouen," he introduced himself curtly. "I led the recovery detail. Please accept my sincerest apologies for our aggressive approach."