Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
He had kept quiet about this before, seeing how his wife almost fainted from rage.
He and his wife had ran into various accidents in their trips. But now it turned out to be made-made accidents.
“To think, the things even your Uncle couldn’t uncover, you managed to trace back and find the evidence.” Belinda said incredulously, patting Mirabella’s head with admiration. “You’ve amazed me time and again, dear. You’re outstanding!”
As the atmosphere grew warmer, Eunice steered the conversation back, “Oh, Mom, you mentioned that Serena won first place in a piano competition. I caught a glimpse of you and Dad rewarding her for it”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Belinda suddenly remembered her granddaughter who had been momentarily forgotten and gestured for Serena to come over. “This child won first place in a national competition.”
Eunice smiled, “So, what did you two reward her with?”Serena, seeing the topic finally shift back to her, beamed with a sweet smile, enthusiastically sharing the details of her prize with her aunt, even boasting a bit in front of Mirabella.
“But you two might be playing favorites. Bella’s credentials outrank those competition judges. Guess who she is?”
Serena’s face paled slightly, blindsided by her aunt’s sudden advocacy for Mirabella’s recognition.
Was this an intentional move to overshadow her own achievements?
“Higher than a competition judge?” Belinda and Darren were both surprised, guessing several times but not arriving at the right answer.
Eunice spilled the beans with a gleam in her eye, “Your darling granddaughter, she’s none other than the world-renowned piano virtuoso—Melody”
Belinda and Darren were thunderstruck, frozen in awe before a cascade of compliments tumbled out.
“l’ll simply adore Melody’s piano pieces, Belinda gushed towards the end, her excitement palpable.
“Especially when she releases a new track. I’d listen at home, in the car, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. I can’t get enough, I really can’t!”
“Remember your grandma’s birthday? I was dying to have Melody play at our house, cost no object, just to see her perform live for her. But Melody was nowhere to be found. The folks at the Piano Association said they couldn’t reach her. And now, my precious granddaughter is Melody herself!”
Darren was overwhelmed with surprise and joy. If only they had found Melody sooner, perhaps their reunion with their treasured granddaughter could have happened earlier.
“We must celebrate! We’ve got a miracle doctor in the family, and a piano maestro to boot. Darling, we need to think of something special to reward Bella with.’ Belinda, in her exuberant joy, was already brainstorming ideas.
Mirabella was about to politely decline when Eunice elbowed her, signaling not to miss this golden opportunity. They had to let Serena hear straight from her grandparents what kind of reward a piano maestro deserves. It would keep Serena from getting too cocky about her own piano first prize!
Mirabella caught onto her aunt’s “little scheme” and couldn’t help but smile.
Though Eunice meant no harm, her words felt like a deep insult to Serena.”At that auction the other day, didn’t I win that tanzanite? Let’s give it to Bella as a reward!”
When Belinda dropped this bombshell, Serena’s face went pale.
Tanzanite was a thousand times rarer than diamonds, and the piece Belinda had won was of the rarest tanzanite blue!
They say the stone’s magic lies in its ability to show a dazzling array of colors when viewed from different angles, even appearing in different hues under varying light.
If Serena’s memory served her right, that stone was won by Belinda for two million dollars. Belinda treasured it immensely, and now to think she’d part with it so readily for Mirabella.
“Well then, I’ll give Bella the natural, wild pearl I won at the auction,’ Darren declared generously.
Eunice chimed in with a smile, “Bella, your grandpa spent a good two million on that pearl. It weighs over 300 grams, so he’s kept it as a treasured possession, believing it brings good fortune. Now, he’s giving it to you so freely, which means he’s incredibly proud and satisfied with your achievements.”
Eunice paused to chuckle before adding, “And with the tanzanite your grandma’s giving you, the value is quite significant.”
Mirabella hadn’t expected her grandparents to be so lavish. The rewards amounted to four million dollars. She responded warmly, “Thank you, Grandma, Grandpa, for your generosity”
“Silly girl, there’s no need to thank us. It’s the Griffiths and the Collins”
blessing to have such a remarkable child in our family”
Meanwhile, Serena watched as Belinda and Darren heaped praises on Mirabella from start to finish, fuming with envy.Just moments ago, her grandparents had rewarded her with gifts totaling a mere one hundred thousand dollars, but when it came to Mirabella, they didn’t hesitate to present treasures worth four million!
The disparity was staggering.
Sure, Mirabella was Melody, but did that really warrant such an enormous reward in one go?
It was blatant favoritism!
Serena’s jealousy simmered just below the surface, a bitter taste in her mouth that no amount of sweet talk from Eunice could wash away. “Serena, your sister Bella has accomplished something truly extraordinary. Just being known as ‘Melody’ puts her leagues ahead of her peers. Heck, she’s a top player in the whole scene, untouchable.”
“And once you achieve such bright results, we will surely reward you too. We would never favor one grandchild over another”
While Belinda’s words were meant to comfort, Serena knew better. They all knew she couldn’t become the next Melody or the next Dr. Bell in the near future. Such promises were hollow, just sweet nothings to placate her.
“All I feel is pride and joy for Bella’s success,” Serena said, masking her true feelings with a smile.
“There’s no point in fretting over rewards. I aim to follow in her footsteps and make our family proud”
Her eyes shone with feigned optimism as Belinda cooed, “I Knew you weren’t petty, dear. We just want to ensure fairness.”
Serena forced a laugh, “Bella’s just returned to the family. Even if you were unfair and doted on her a bit more, I wouldn’t mind. I’ve had my fair share over the years. If they neglected Bella, I’d be the first to object!”
Darren and Belinda chuckled at her gracious words, their hearts warming at her apparent understanding and kindness. They had raised her well, indeed.
“Is everyone here?” Bard entered, his gaze landing on Belinda. “Mom, you’ve arrived. Just now?”
He had hastened home upon hearing of his mother’s visit, wrapping up his work to be with family.”Bard” Belinda teased, “Guess what other identity your darling niece has?”
The room fell silent, awaiting his guess. Bard’s eyes swept to Mirabella, fearing they’d discovered her secret leadership role. No, their cheerful expressions said otherwise. What other identity could it be?
“Just tell him,’ chuckled Eunice, stepping forward. “Bella is none other than the renowned piano virtuoso—Melody.
Bard was incredulous, taking a moment to digest the news before realizing it was his turn to reward his niece.
“The grandparents have given their part, so as her uncle, I should contribute too. Eunice, how about we give Bella that famous painting we acquired two years ago?”
“No objections here? Eunice agreed.
Bard ordered the painting to be brought over.
Serena nearly choked on her envy. That painting had caused a stir in the art world of Dawnstar, its rarity and symbolism fetching it a hefty price of four million at auction.
Now it was worth even more!
A single identity, ‘Melody’, had netted Mirabella a reward nearing ten million dollars!
How was Serena to accept this?
On the other side of town.
Martin had just wrapped up his work and was about to dash off to keep a date when he ran smack into Fitch.
“Buddy, I need a solid,” Fitch was waiting for him right outside his office, a look of sheer desperation on his face. “I’ve got this developer who’s being a real pain. We’ve been haggling over this contract forever, and my grandpa is running out of patience. If I don’t seal the deal today, I’m toast. Come with me, will you? Just pretend you’re part of my team.”
Fitch hadn’t even finished his plea when Martin cut him off, “Sorry, man. I’ve got plans with Serena today. Can’t bail on her”
“What, she didn’t give you enough grief yesterday? Now you want an encore?” Fitch gaped at him in disbelief. “Are you some kind of masochist?
After the way she’s been acting up, you’re still indulging her?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Alright, alright,” Fitch tried to reason with him. “You and she have got a lifetime to sort things out. But this contract is urgent. You know how my grandpa’s temperament.”
“Today’s really not good,” Martin said, stopping in his tracks to emphasize his point. “Serena’s been really down lately. I need to be there for her”
“What’s she got to be down about?” Fitch was at his wit’s end with that woman. “This contract is critical, man. You’ve done a ton of deals, you’ve got the chops. At least tell me what the other side is thinking.How to move this partnership forward? What concessions do I need to make?”
“Fitch; Martin said, his gaze soft yet resolute, leaving no room for argument.
“Serena really needs me”
Fitch wanted to blurt out, “Aren’t you just her backup plan? How important could you be to her?” But not wanting to hurt his good friend, he simply suggested, “Can’t you reschedule with her for tomorrow?”
“It’s a sensitive time for her. I don’t want her jumping to conclusions”
Martin decided not to keep Fitch in the dark any longer and spilled the beans about Serena not being the true heiress of the Collins family.
Fitch’s jaw dropped in disbelief, “What are you telling me? She’s known for half a year she’s not the Collins family’s golden girl, and she’s still playing up in front of you?”
She should be grateful anyone wants her at all!
The status and standing of the Cooper family eclipsed her birth family’s by miles!
And she’s got Martin: a handsome, promising, devoted guy who’s head over heels for her and treats her like a queen.
What’s there for her to be dissatisfied about?
“I’ll see what I can do about that developer. If I can get back early today, I’ll swing by and help you out,”
Martin offered.
“Hey, Martin, I wasn’t finished.” Fitch muttered under his breath as he watched his friend walk away, frustration and concern mingling in his heart.That guy, why did he have to be such a soft touch?
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.