Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
She had to catch Mr. Eugene’s attention while also showing him she had potential. Only then would she have a chance to gain his favor and advice.
“Mom, I don’t want to go.”Alma was already upset about this matter, and now, her mother’s call was like another blow.
Beverly sat in their home garden, sipping her tea elegantly, her tone casual, “What’s wrong?”
Chess had always been her daughter’s pride and joy, but now, it seemed like she had taken a hit.
“Mr. Eugene came to Summerfield College today. I lost to Mirabella in front of him.”
“What did you say?” Beverly paused mid-sip, her gaze somewhat incredulous.
“Mirabella’s chess skills are incredible. Mr. Eugene personally said that he has known Mirabella for over ten years, and he taught her chess. Also, he publicly asked Mirabella to reconsider taking up his mantle.”
Alma recounted the day’s events in a nutshell, not forgetting to add a few sarcastic remarks.
“Mom, do you think Mirabella’s lost her marbles? She’s got such a great opportunity in front of her, and she doesn’t know how to appreciate it. Either she’s really sick in the head, or she’s just putting on airs, dangling Mr. Eugene like a carrot, thinking she’s something special.”
Maybe she really thought she’s a gem. That’s why she liked to put on that aloof, disdainful demeanor.
“Bloody fool.” Beverly poured herself another cup of coffee and took a slow sip before asking, “With so many people present, why do you think Mr.
Eugene deliberately brought up the subject of succession?”
“What else could it be? He just wants everyone to know that Mirabella has him as a strong backing, so they can’t offend her easily!” Alma was even more exasperated at that point. She couldn’t understand why Mr. Eugene had set his sights on Mirabella.
Beverly spoke with a refined air, “No, his real goal is only one, and that is to put indirect pressure on Mirabella. He was certain Mirabella wouldn’t embarrass him by refusing in front of everyone, so he deliberately brought it up.”
But what he didn’t expect was that Mirabella didn’t talk about succession or refusal. She just sidetracked the conversation.
Beverly thought, that girl was quite interesting, facing such an olive branch and dealing with it in such a manner.”She’s not stupid. Either she has too many olive branches to handle, or she doesn’t need anyone else’s help.”
In Beverly’s opinion, Mirabella was a person who kept her cards close to her chest. She had previously warned her daughter not to mess with Mirabella unnecessarily.
With her daughter’s level of sophistication, she was no match for Mirabella.
Like today’s situation, her other strong backing, Mr. Eugene was revealed in front of everyone.
How many more were there that haven’t come out?
No one knew.
“But Mom, I don’t understand why did Mr. Eugene choose her?”
Alma thought she had some talent for playing chess. Her previous teachers all praised her as intelligent and capable, a person with great potential. They said that she could definitely make a name for herself in the chess world in the future.
If she had received guidance from Mr. Eugene when she was younger, she might not be any worse than Mirabella now!
“Sometimes, timing, location, and people are all important factors.” Beverly still insisted, “Come back, let’s try again tonight.”
Such a good opportunity was in front of them, and they couldn’t just give up knowing the difficulties.
Mirabella hasn’t given Mr. Eugene a definite answer yet, Mr. Eugene could still be looking for better candidates.
Nothing was set in stone yet.Alma didn’t necessarily have to be better than Mirabella, but if she was indeed talented and diligent, why would Mr. Eugene refuse her?
Even if she couldn’t become his favorite student, having guidance from Mr.
Eugene would still be much better than guidance from anyone else.
After hearing her mother’s words, Alma also thought it made sense, “I’ll go back right away.”
When she passed the backstage, she happened to see Serena, surrounded by a group of friends, being the center of attention.
Serena was in a great mood initially, but when she received a WhatsApp message from Martha, learning that David had given the concert tickets to Mirabella, she almost dropped her phone.
[I just found out, too. The lady wanted a ticket for her best friend’s daughter.
She called David, and David said he had given them away. When she asked who to, it turns out it was Mirabella.]
“Serena, you look so pale. Do you want to go to the infirmary?”
“Are you okay? Your smile looks forced. If you’re not feeling well, don’t push yourself.”
“Shall I take you to the infirmary?”
“I’m alright.”
Serena forced herself to steady her emotions, quickly shooting a message to Martha.
(Martha, are you certain? Did David really give the concert tickets to Mirabella?]
(I was right there when your mom called, no doubt about it! Not only did David give Mirabella the ticket, he gave her the best seats!]
Perhaps sensing Serena’s heartache, Martha couldn’t help but express her outrage.
[David’s being totally out of line. He tells you there are no tickets left and then just turns around and hands them to his own little sister. He’s not considering your feelings at allt]
The term “little sister” pierced Serena’s heart like a dagger.
She couldn’t believe that David, who had been so gentle on the phone just moments ago, had lied to her!
[You mentioned earlier that Hans already has a date for the charity dinner next week. It’s not Mirabella, is it?] Martha messaged again.
Serena hesitated. It couldn’t be.
(Serena, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Mirabella’s status in their eyes seems to be getting higher and higher while you are becoming less and less important]
Unable to keep her emotions in check, Serena excused herself to the restroom, leaving her friends in a state of confusion.”Is Serena on her period?”
“I guess so. She’s gone pale. Let’s wait for her here.”
“To be honest, I think that Mirabella at Westerly College plays the violin like a true virtuoso. it’s just mesmerizing!”
“Me too. The moment her music started playing, I was completely blown away. She’s better than my private tutor!”
“Hush, keep your voices down. Do you want Serena to hear? We still need her to get close to her brothers!”
Everyone made a shushing gesture before starting to whisper again.
“If you become her sister-in-law, and I become her sister-in-law. We could hang out often! Just like now.
“Look, Alma is heading to the restroom. Do you think she’s going to make trouble for Serena?”
“Should we go help Serena?”
One of the girls with curly hair wanted to help but was held back by her friends.
“Don’t! You forgot about the time Serena mentioned that Alma beat her up on the staircase at the hospital when they were visiting their grandmother?
We’re not strong enough to be of any help. What if we end up with bruised faces. How would we face people?”
“Exactly, what if we have to dine with Hans next, with a bruised face.”
“I have to attend David’s concert, and I can’t show up looking like that.”Even though they knew Alma would most likely cause trouble for Serena, the group of girls didn’t dare to intervene. They even wandered off to a further location, feigning ignorance.
As soon as Alma entered the restroom, she could hear Serena’s anxious voice on the phone, even sounding a little tearful.
“How did it come to this. Why?” Serena was close to tears, but upon catching sight of Alma in the mirror, she gripped her phone tighter. She had no idea how long the sly Alma had been eavesdropping, but she quickly ended the call.
With her arms crossed over her chest, Alma watched Serena’s flustered and angry state with an air of nonchalance.
“Perhaps you should call Martha and let her give you some advice?”
Alma sneered, stepping further into the room. She pulled a tube of lipstick from her bag, freshening up her lips in the mirror.
“A foolish servant can hardly come up with any good advice!”
“You’re talking as if you’re some hotshot. Didn’t you still lose to Mirabella? I dont know why a defeated player like you dare to show off in front of me!” It was clear Serena looked down on her.
Alma smirked, her lips cold and beautiful. “Mirabella’s violin and chess skills are indeed better than mine. I heartily admit defeat to her. But you, after years of violin lessons, can’t even play decently.
Serena clenched her fists, her eyes darting to the lipstick in Alma’s hand, a limited edition from Louis Vuitton. The diamond necklace around her neck was a new design from VW Fashion. Even her dress and the heels she wore were ail limited editions!
She had never seen them before!
Where did she get all the money to buy these?!
Suddenly, Serena remembered her aunt and uncle, including Alma and her sister, always appearing in expensive attire.
Even her parents didn’t live as lavishly.
It seemed like their money was inexhaustible.Seeing Serena staring at the lipstick in a daze, Alma coldly scoffed, “An adopted daughter is always an adopted daughter. Your attire is getting more and more modest. What, the Collins family can’t afford to buy you decent clothes now?”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.