Chapter 558

Ariana couldn't help but chuckle again at the sight of the chubby little boy. Lambert glanced at his wife but remained silent. Turning abruptly to his still-fuming son, he commanded in a firm voice, "Go to your room. Your mother and I need to talk." Lucian shrank back instinctively. He had always been somewhat intimidated by his father. After casting one last pleading look at his mother, he trudged upstairs with a pout, shoulders slumped in defeat. Only when Lucian's footsteps faded did Lambert shift his gaze back to Ariana. His deep-set eyes were fathomless, their usual chill now edged with something darker. "What exactly did he mean by 'bad woman'?" he asked coldly. Ariana blinked in surprise, then gave a light, dismissive laugh. "Oh, it's just childish nonsense. Nothing serious." In truth, such gossip was nothing more than idle chatter among the wealthy socialites—wives and ladies who thrived on scandal over afternoon tea. Some might even know the rumors were baseless, yet they reve