Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“I’ve also found a few leads. Hopefully, this time, we can get them all” Clark said, his voice filled with grief and outrage. “You guys go ahead, I’ll leave in a bit.”
He still wanted to stay outside the cemetery, to spend a little more time with Crystal.
Mirabella nodded and left with Romeo. They didn’t go to the wake but went back to Reflections Villa.
“When Mom and Dad get back, I’ll ask for Grandpa’s address. We might need to travel abroad,”
Mirabella volunteered.
Romeo wrapped a scarf around her neck and said gently, “Alright. Let me know what’s up.”
“Be careful on the road.” Mirabella took off the scarf he had just put on her and put it back on him, “It’s cold outside and I’m almost home. I don’t need it.”Romeo had never had Mirabella help him with his scarf before, and watching her intent and beautiful eyes made him smile gently.
“Get inside. It’s snowing,’ Romeo said indulgently. “I’ll leave after you’re inside.”
“You go ahead.”
“I want to see you go in.
In the end, Mirabella couldn’t argue with him any longer. Seeing the snow getting heavier, she quickly entered Reflections Villa.
Romeo knew that Mirabella was hurrying because she didn’t want him to be out in the cold any longer.
Mirabella strolled towards the main building of Reflections Villa. As she glanced back, she noticed the snowflakes landing on a man’s figure. He lifted his hand, seemingly waving goodbye.
Mirabella waved back and proceeded into the house.
“Bella, I was wrong!”
Suddenly, Serena appeared before her, bowing deeply in a sincere manner, “Hans punished me yesterday, and I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have badmouthed you behind your back. Please forgive my immature behavior.
I’m sorry, and I promise to improve.”
Mirabella’s gaze shifted towards the household staff cleaning in the background. Was this an act for her benefit?
Did Serena want them as her witnesses to prove that she had apologized?
“So, what did you do wrong?” Mirabella asked, her eyes gleaming with interest.
“I shouldn’t have badmouthed you in front of my friends.”
“How exactly did you badmouth me?”
“Don’t you want to forgive me, Bella?” Serena bit her lip, ‘Don’t you believe that I truly realize my mistake?”
“I’m not quite convinced. Tell me, what exactly did you do?”Serena was reluctant to share her embarrassing story in front of the staff. She feigned a cough, hoping to divert the topic.
“Ms. Bella, Serena is sincerely apologizing to you. She fell ill yesterday and is still recovering. She has been waiting here for you since the crack of dawn. All the staff here can vouch for her.”
Serena coughed a few times, her face pale, “It’s okay. If you’re still mad, I’ll apologize again. Bella, what can I do to earn your forgiveness?”
“Didn’t you hear my question?”
Mirabella’s assertive demeanor made Serena bite her lip, almost on the verge of tears.
“If you’re afraid to say it, I’ll say it for you.” Mirabella didn’t give her any chance to playact, “In front of outsiders, you claimed that you were the daughter of the Collins family. You said that being with Romeo was too stressful, so you forced him to break up with you. Unexpectedly, he found a new love in me to provoke you, hoping you would change your mind.”
The staff were astounded.
Could Serena come up with such a lie?
As an adopted daughter, how could she have the audacity to say such things?
“So, Hans had to step in to set the record straight. Are you here apologizing to me because you fear losing your position?” Mirabella looked at her disdainfully, “Am I right?”
The staff looked incredulously at Serena, who could feel their piercing stares.
“Ms. Bella, Serena is sincerely apologizing to you.”“Did I ask you anything? Can’t she speak for herself?” Mirabella shot back a cold glare, like a gust of icy wind.
The staff were in awe of Ms. Bella’s imposing aura.
Martha was seething inside. If it wasn’t for keeping up the act, she wouldn’t have held her tongue against this insolent girl!
Serena’s nails dug into her palm, swallowing her humiliation, she was about to reply.
“I don’t accept your apology.” Mirabella passed her by without a second glance.
Serena watched her retreating figure, fuming. This was all Mirabella’s doing!
Mirabella deliberately disclosed the situation, making her a laughing stock among the staff!
She deliberately refused to forgive her, causing her humiliation!
She deliberately dernonstrated her arrogance and capability.
Martha was also livid, but she maintained a composed facade, “Serena, Ms. Bella misunderstood you.
You’re still weak from illness. You should rest upstairs. You can apologize to her later.”
After Serena stomped upstairs, she was seething with anger. “She’s way too full of herself!”
“I know, right! Her arrogance is through the roof!” Martha was just as ticked off. “If it weren’t for Hans, who would apologize to her? You were the one to step back, but she didn’t budge an inch. She has no place here!”
“I can’t believe this, I really can’t.” Unable to vent her frustration, Serena threw pillows and stuffed animals all over the room. Still not satisfied, she threw the tissue box and the remote control on the floor.
Damn it! Just because Hans was on her side, Mirabella thought she was all that!
“Hans should know better. You said a few harmless things in front of a friend, and suddenly you’re vain and proud, as if you’d caused her physical harm. You had to apologize to her even though you’ve been sick! It’s too much!”
“And then he penalizes me, and privately warns you, docking a month’s salary and your bonus! That’s way over the line!”
Martha had been a part of this family for eighteen years! She had worked hard, too!
What did her problem with Mirabella have to do with Martha?
Hans even penalized Martha.
She had said a few things against Mirabella, without causing her any real harm. Hans was just too harsh!“Serena, I’m okay. But your standing in Hans’s eyes has been greatly diminished by Mirabella”
In her anger, Serena suddenly got an idea.
She walked into the kitchen, and the maid, seeing her rummaging around, asked, “Serena, what are you looking for?”
“I want to make a cup of coffee for Bella.” Serena gently asked, “Where can I find the coffee beans that she usually likes?”
“They’re in this drawer.” The maid fetched them.
Looking at the coffee beans, Serena realized that Mirabella drank a better quality coffee than she did!
“Yes, Hans bought these a while ago. He said Ms. Bella drinks the same brand at the office. I usually make her coffee, so I’m sure these are the right beans.”
Serena felt a pang of jealousy. Hans had been secretly buying Mirabella this high-quality coffee, even keeping a stock at the office. He was clearly favoring her.
“I’ll make a cup for Martha.” Serena took the coffee beans and walked to the coffee machine.
“Serena, let me do it. These beans require a specific brewing method and amount to ensure the best flavor when Ms. Bella drinks it.”
Serena didn’t care about the flavor. She just found the whole thing annoying. “Teach me and I’ll do it.”
Seeing that Serena was determined, the maid instructed her.
After the coffee was brewed, Serena carried it upstairs and knocked on Mirabella’s door.
Serena froze mid-action, suddenly unsure of what to do next.If she knocked again, it would mean she was inconsiderate. If she spoke, it would mean she was submissive.
Damn you, Mirabella!
Martha, who was lurking nearby, was about to step forward when Serena signaled her to stay back.
Clearing her throat, Serena began, “Bella, it’s me. Can you open the door?”
Mirabella knew trouble was brewing, so she didn’t even bother to respond.
“Bella.” Serena, balancing a cup of coffee, knocked at the door, “Can you hear me?”
Mirabella left her hanging for a while before finally opening the door.
“Did you poison this or are you planning to spill this coffee on me?”
Serena hadn’t expected her to be this sharp. She quickly put on a smile, “Why would I do that? I genuinely want to apologize.”
“Are you trying to apologize or teach me a lesson? Do you think I’m oblivious?”
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.