Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Mirabella knew tonight’s birthday celebration held danger, but she didn’t know who exactly might be targeting Grandpa and Uncle Bard.
Why did it have to come to this within one family.
Thirty minutes later.
They drove up towards the hilltop mansion, which shone like a beacon in the night with its glittering grandeur.
The driveway was lined with dozens of luxury cars, a testament to the wealth and status of the attendees.
The driver opened the door for them and followed, carrying the gifts Eunice had prepared in advance.
In the garden, guests chatted in small groups, enjoying the evening.
Some guests did a double-take upon seeing Eunice.
“How did she get an invite?”
“Lheard Alexander was smitten with her, that she wasn’t out of the picture. Seeing her now, it seems true.”“What was Bard thinking, keeping a woman like that around?”
“And letting her come to tonight’s birthday soiree.”
“How can she be the lady of the Griffith family?”
Mirabella overheard their snide comments from a distance and frowned, “These people are so rude.”
“You get used to it.” Eunice’s stride was confident, her red dress accentuating her commanding presence. She ignored the murmurs, striding past them into the main building.
The other women felt a pang of irritation. That damn Eunice, treating them like they were invisible.
What was there to be proud of, for a woman who had been toyed with?
Inside the mansion.
Relatives surrounded an elderly man, keeping him chuckling and in high spirits. He looked vigorous, his charm undiminished by age, a birthday hat placed humorously atop his head.
The driver handed the gifts to Eunice and Mirabella, with Eunice stepping forward with a beaming smile to lead the way.
“Happy birthday, Arlen. This is just a little something from Bard and me,” Eunice said as she handed over a gift.
Arlen’s butler stepped forward to take it immediately.
“You folks might not be aware of Bella’s true identity. Allow me to introduce her. She’s the long-lost daughter of Louisa, Mirabella Collins, who has only recently been found. Bella, this is your Arlen.”
“Mr. Arlen, I wish you a happy birthday and many a hearty laugh” Mirabella said, offering her gift.
Eunice added, “This is the girl’s way of showing her respect.”
Arlen looked taken aback and stared at Mirabella for a good while before asking, “You’re Louisa’s daughter?”
Before Mirabella could respond, he turned to Eunice and asked with uncertainty, “And Kenneth’s?”
“who else?” Eunice replied with a confident smile.
“How did she end up lost? And you found her in Dawnstar? Did you and Bard take her under your wing?”
“Oh, Arlen, come on. The Collins clan holds Bella dear. How could they bear to have her fostered away? She’s here to visit her grandfather. Hearing of your birthday bash tonight, she made a point to come and celebrate with you.”
“Ah, well, that’s thoughtful. It’s good to have you back,” Arlen replied with tepid enthusiasm, showing little warmth toward Mirabella.A servant took the birthday present from Mirabella’s hands.
Rose and Bess watched them with eyes that could kill.
Unable to hold back, Bess snapped, “That red dress of yours is stealing Arlen’s thunder. Anyone would think you’ve come to outshine the birthday boy.”
The older women started to posture.
“This is Arlen’s home, and today we’re celebrating his birthday. Isn’t it a bit much for a junior to take center stage?”
“Away for a while and still as showy as ever!”
“Young people just don’t know how to be subdued.”
Eunice’s lips curled into a smile, radiant and stunning.
“It’s Arlen’s birthday, so naturally, I wanted to make a bold statement. Bella and I dressed in those colors to wish Arlen nothing but prosperity and success. But Bess, here you are in black on such a joyous occasion. What message might that convey?”
Bess was itching to tear Eunice’s mouth off.
Another elder chimed in defensively, “Black signifies modesty. Do you think everyone wants to be as loud as you?”
“In a time of celebration, black is an omen of bad luck, gloom, and misfortune. As an elder, Bess should be aware of such taboos. Or is it intentional?”
Bess was fuming. This brazen girl was becoming more insolent and irritating by the minute!“Enough, Arlen said, his expression souring. “Eunice, I heard Bard had to leave on business this afternoon.”
“Yes”
“And who’s this? What’s her name?”
“Bella”
“Fine. Take Bella around, get some food.”
“Sure thing. Come on, Bella’ Eunice said, leading Mirabella away, both still radiating charm.
Bess was seething, “That little hussy. I haven’t even settled yesterday’s score with her! And today she dares to be so brazen, showing off in front of us elders! Does she really think we won’t put her in her place?”
“You knew today was Arlen’s birthday, yet you chose such attire, handing others a reason to mock. And now we’re the laughing stock. Go change, or at least throw on a shawl!” Calvin Griffith couldn’t help but reprimand her in a low vaice.
“Well, it’s not Bess’ fault. Eunice has always been disrespectful, never put anyone in her sight,” Teresa didn’t have much love for that wild child either. Watching her graceful figure walk away, a flicker of disgust passed through her eyes.
“Looks like the relatives here are not the easy-going type.” Mirabella followed Eunice to the long dinner table.
Eunice handed her a cupcake. “Eat something first.”
Mirabella knew that her aunt was baiting the mole in their midst, certainly planning something to provoke the traitor into a rage, losing their cool enough to attempt murder.
“We’ll split up and search in a bit,’ Eunice said, lifting her beautiful smile as if she were discussing the latest season’s fashion trends, not plotting a sting operation.
“Okay; Mirabella responded, lifting a gentle smile of her own.
At that moment, a flustered socialite rushed forward, grasping Eunice’s hand, “Isn’t this Eunice? You’re still alive?”
Eunice recognized the voice and knew the woman was someone who feigned closeness in public but often badmouthed her behind her back.
Smiling, she looked at the woman, “At my young age, how could it be my turn to die? Tiffany, how’s you doing lately? Blood pressure still sky-high? Is it because Dave’s been out chasing skirts again?”
Mrs. Laurier couldn’t help but interject, “What kind of talk is that? Tiffany was genuinely concerned about you, and you respond by taking jabs at her. Men go out and fool around because there are toomany loose women like you out there!”
“Enough, Mrs. Laurier. Eunice meant no harm,’ Tiffany said, her complexion souring.
“Which eye of Mrs. Laurier saw me being loose? Was it when I was being ‘loose’ that you happened to witness with your very own eyes?”
Mrs. Laurier was taken aback by her brazenness, “Everyone knows you’ve been delivered to the owner of Mafia Rock, and here you are, still pretending in front of us. Only a fool like Bard would fall for your tricks!”
“Whether Bard was fooled by me is none of Mrs. Laurier’s business. You seem to have a lot to say, Mrs. Laurier.
But wasn’t it when you were being ‘not so chaste’ that my people caught you red-handed? I wonder what Mr.
Laurier would think if he saw some of the videos I have “You’re spouting nonsense!” Mrs. Laurier’s face changed colors as if she had been stepped on, warning, “Don’t talk rubbish without evidence!”
That’s when Mirabella accidentally spilled her orange juice all over Mrs. Laurier’s trailing gown.
“I’m so sorry, I was just so engrossed in the conversation, I wasn’t paying attention.”
Mrs. Laurier hadn’t expected the young girl next to Eunice to dare douse her with orange juice, “Who are you?”
“She’s Kenneth and Louisa’s daughter. Why, you want to take it up with them? You probably don’t have their contact, but maybe I should send them a quick video.” Eunice said with a smile.
Kenneth and Louisa’s daughter?Mrs. Laurier’s expression shifted. Had that girl grown up so much?
Although she looked somewhat unfamiliar, the facial features indeed bore a resemblance to Louisa.
And who didn’t know that Kenneth and Louisa were famously doting parents?
The Collins were known to treat their daughter like a princess, spoiling her with every whim and fancy.
“You just wait!” Mrs. Laurier fumed, her skirts billowing dramatically as she stormed off.
Tiffany wanted to call her back but felt powerless; she could only turn to Eunice. “Eunice, you usually play your pranks, and I chalk it up to Bard spoiling you rotten. But today is Arlen’s birthday. Can’t you at least save face for his friends? If you cause a scene, it won’t look good for either side.”
“Thanks for the heads-up, Tiffany, replied Eunice with a smirk. “I also have a video of Dave. Do you want to see it?”
Tiffany’s face flushed with anger as she clicked away in her heels.
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.