Chapter 513

Arianna returned home from shopping and found only her mother, Eloise, there. She knew her mother had been waiting.

"Hi, Mom!" Arianna called out, smiling. She quickly approached, setting down her shopping bag. "I bought two new scarves for Dad, and since I liked the style, I got two for you, too. Try them on and see what you think." Arianna opened the bag and began to take out the scarves.

"No need now," Eloise said. "Arianna, come here."

She gestured for Arianna to sit beside her and instructed a housekeeper to bring a black truffle cake. Then, she dismissed the other housekeepers, leaving only herself and Arianna in the living room.

Looking around, Arianna said, smiling, "Do you have something to tell me, Mom?"

Eloise nodded. Her gentle eyes lingered on Arianna's face. She raised a hand and gently stroked Arianna's hair. "My dear, time flies. You've grown so much."

"Well, don't put it that way, Mom. I didn't grow up overnight. You were there watching me," Arianna giggled, bending to pick up the cake.

"Yes!" Eloise said emotionally. "I birthed you and watched you grow. You are brilliant, but what a pity." She trailed off, looking sad.

Arianna understood her mother's unspoken concern. As a girl, she could not inherit the family property. Despite societal shifts, the Tanner family adhered to old-fashioned traditions; only men could inherit the family business. Unfortunately, they lacked male heirs. One family branch had a son, but he showed no interest in the business. Joseph and Eloise, Arianna's parents, only had a daughter.

However, Arianna's father had an illegitimate son—a spoiled boy unfit to join the family line of succession. Even if capable, he couldn't openly inherit the Tanner family's assets.

This was the source of Joseph and Eloise's conflict. Joseph wanted to accept his illegitimate son into the family, enabling him to inherit the business.

Eloise, of course, found this ridiculous. How could Joseph expect her to accept a child from another woman and give him the family inheritance? There was something deeply wrong with Joseph's reasoning.

"Mom, this cake is delicious!" Arianna smoothly changed the subject, deftly avoiding a potentially awkward conversation.

Eloise, understanding her daughter's intention, felt even more guilty. "You're a grown woman now, and I don't want to hide things from you anymore, my dear. I know you're aware of the situation. I want to know how you feel about it."

Arianna held the cake, paused, and smiled softly. "How do I feel? What do you mean, Mom? How do you think I should feel?"