3 Uncle Zhang

'How can I forget such an important detail'

Ara can't help but chide herself as the Bulock family is ushered towards the drawing-room.

The Bulock ancestry, unlike the Frost which has recently joined the ranks of the wealthy in the last twenty years, is a lineage of blue blood deeply rooted in the wealth and power distributions of English. They have businesses in almost all the sectors including the shipping industry, hotel industry, and even the fashion industry. Their deeply rooted power and wealth makes them the fourth most prominent family in not just the United Kingdom but all over Asia and America too.

With such a high status it is no wonder that their descendants are brought up under strict and traditional standings and rules. One of the biggest being that they do not have a right to choose a life partner for themselves unless willing to forfeit their right to the inheritance. That said, one must either succumb to an arranged marriage or be removed from the family name.

A cynical smile emerges on Ara's face a logical thought comes to mind

'The new blood Frost family isn't bound by tradition. We are not nobles. By so, then why were my parents so eager to marry me off to the Bulocks. Was it because of the potential gain of influence and power? Were my parents so blinded by reputation, profits, and wealth that my happiness seemed so meaningless?'

"Ara"

A man in his late forties grabs a hold of Ara's shoulder, effectively putting a stop to her thoughts.

"Uncle Zhang!", Ara exclaims in surprise and tears form in her eyes as she remembers how she'd lost her uncle too when her parents cut off ties with the Zhang family following the Zhang matriarch openly disapproving the alliance between Ara and Daniel. Feeling insulted and disregarded as the Zhang family has always looked down on him marrying their daughter

her father had flown in range and openly declared "I Noah Frost dissolve of any relation between my family and the Zhang family! ANY FROST THAT GOES AGAINST MY WORDS DARE NOT SHOW HIS FACE TO ME!!" and with her father's temper she had been too afraid to pick up any calls from her maternal family's relatives.

"Have you missed me that much xiao xin", Uncle Zhang asked as he patted her head.

"Yes Jiu Jiu", she childishly replies uncle Zhang wipes away a stray tear from her face.

Uncle Zhang looks up at the stairway with a solemn face making his face seem more aged than he is with little wrinkles appearing on his forehead. He gently pats her head again whilst giving a light gentle squeeze to her shoulder.

"Xiao xin your uncle is not as powerless as he appears, you know your uncle Zhang sees you as his own daughter so never hesitate to call for my help"

"Yes uncle, you'll be the first person to know if I ever need help"

"That's my Xiao xin"

"Uncle Zhang since you are here so early you must not have had breakfast, come with me to the drawing-room, you must taste today's food because mom especially prepared it for me and she made her special dumplings", Ara excitedly dragged Zhang towards the drawing-room.

"Ara"

Ara stopped on her tracks as she heard her father calling out to her from behind. Taking notice of how uncle Zhang stiffened in his steps along with the appearance of her father.

"Unfortunately I have to skip breakfast today Xiao xin, perhaps another time"

Uncle Zhang makes his way out of the house without even glancing towards her approaching father. Ara takes a good look at the man who fathered her. For a man almost in his fifties, Noah Frost has an appeal to himself. With sharp facial features and cold eyes, any lady going for looks would want him. His temper is the only flaw that makes it impossible for a lady who doesn't love him to stay with him.

With a broad smile on his face, Mr. Frost makes his way to Ara and claps both her hands in his before dragging her towards the drawing-room. A chill goes through her back as Ara is reminded of what's about to happen next.

"It is good that you finally came out of your room, I have very important guests whom I want you to meet today, come along with me"