Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
After taking a sip, Romeo finally understood the expression Mirabella had earlier. He chuckled, “It’s quite the melange, distinctive, and refreshing.”
“Really?” Louisa took a sip herself, “At first, I thought something was off.”
“Maybe there’s a bit too much lemon.” All three said in unison, and then glanced at each other, with Kenneth quickly smoothing things over, “It must be that the recipe writer didn’t specify the exact quantity to use.”
“But they did, they said one slice of lemon was enough. I just thought Bella loved lemon water, so I added a bit more.”
Mirabella was touched that her mother remembered her preferences, her gaze softening once more.”Bella, from now on, I will make you delicious food more often.”
As soon as Louisa finished speaking, Kenneth quickly interjected, “Hold up, hold up. The kid’s gotten used to the chef’s cooking. Besides, the chef knows all about nutritional balance. They’ve got so much on their plate these days. They need all the nutrients they can get. And they certainly hope that at your age, you should be sitting back and enjoying the easy life.”
“Are you saying my cooking is not up to scratch?” Louisa suddenly asked.
“No, not at all, my dear. Even if you burned it to a crisp, I’d still find it delicious! After all, it’s made with your hard work.”
“Cut it out, you!” Louisa playfully swatted him, “Flatterer.”
Kenneth chuckled, “Love is blind.”
“Oh, please, what’s love got to do with it.”
The family chatted and laughed together for a while before Louisa remembered a new gadget she had bought – a massage hammer.
“Bella, let me give you a shoulder rub. Your aunt told me you’ve been really busy at Dawnstar.”
Even though Louisa didn’t fully grasp what was keeping her daughter so occupied, or the dangers she might be facing, the concern in Eunice’s voice made her want to tend to her daughter’s weary shoulders.
“Honey, let me give you a massage too.” Kenneth also started kneading Louisa’s shoulders, “You’ve been cooking up a storm, and you must be exhausted.”
Romeo watched the harmonious scene unfold before his eyes, his gaze softening.It turned out that even in wealthy families, not everything was broken and disjointed.
During dinner, Kenneth and Louisa kept piling food onto Mirabella’s plate, having not seen her in days and especially after the slanderous attacks on the AR-Bl-Clear Group, they were deeply concerned about the stress and hardship their young daughter was facing. They showered her with affection and care.
Feeling left out, Serena made a pointed effort to serve Mirabella some food to make a good impression on their parents.
Romeo chimed in to break the tension, “Bella’s had her fill of seafood lately.”
With that, Mirabella passed the shrimp Serena had put in her bowl over to her mother, “Mom, you have some.”
Not to be outdone, Serena served Mirabella some beef.
“Bella’s been suffering from indigestion. She should avoid rich, heavy foods.”
As soon as Romeo finished speaking, Mirabella transferred the beef from her bowl to her father’s, “Dad, you eat this.”
Serena couldn’t hold back, “Then what can sis eat? Let me help you to get it.”
“No need, just continue with your food.” Mirabella didn’t even give her a second glance.
Serena’s face fell in disappointment. She dutifully served her parents and even stole a glance at Romeo, “Romeo can serve himself, make sure to eat plenty.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Collins, please have more also.” Romeo ignored her comment and turned to Kenneth and Louisa, “Thanks for preparing such a wonderful meal for me tonight.”“There’s no need for formalities with us, kiddo. Come by for dinner more often when you can,” Kenneth invited warmly.
“Absolutely,” Louisa agreed with a smile, “come when you get time. Don’t feel shy.”
Seeing her own dismay go unnoticed, Serena felt even more irked.
Finally, as the meal came to an end and a servant was about to bring out a fruit platter to the living room, Serena hastily offered, “Let me do that.”
She was eager to redeem herself in Romeo’s eyes.
Before the servant could respond, she was already presenting the fruit platter to her parents with a dutiful smile, “Mom, Dad, how about some fruit to top off the meal?”
“Where’s Sarah? Why are you bringing in the fruit?” Louisa was surprised.
She said she doesn’t feel well in her stomach, but it’s alright. It’s not too heavy to carry, and besides, mom and dad shouldn’t fret over me chipping in with the chores.”
After her parents finished their dessert, Serena was about to offer the fruit platter to Romeo when he stood up, preempting her move, “Mr. And Mrs. Collins, Bella and I are going to take a walk for a bit.”
Kenneth quickly invited, “Why not have some fruit first?”
“No, thanks. I’ll spend a little more time with Bella before I leave.”
Kenneth turned to Mirabella, “How about you, Bella? Won’t you have some?”
“I’m full, thanks.”
“Alright then, you two go ahead and take a walk. It’s still early.”
Romeo reached for Mirabella’s hand, “Didn’t you tell me this afternoon that Hans planted some flower on your balcony? We can see them from the garden, right? Show me.”
“Sure.”
Watching their departing figures, Serena felt a pang of jealousy. After a while, she turned her charm back on, coaxing her parents into good spirits, hoping they would take her to Mr. Albright’s birthday bash.
“Mr. Albright’s birthdays have always been low-key affairs. It’s only because he’s turning sixty that he’s hosting a grand party. There won’t be another chance like this. I know I’m not qualified to be Mr.
Albright’s protege. I just want to experience it. Mom, please take me there. I heard Jamie Noelle will be there too. You know how much I love playing the violin. I really hope that I can get a chance to learnfrom Jamie Noelle. They say the guests this year are all very influential. If I could find a great mentor, I could make our family proud, like my sister.”
Louisa patted her back lovingly, “It’s not that I don’t want to take you, dear. Those two invitations were for your grandparents.”
She and Kenneth hadn’t received any.
“So, can I ask grandma and grandpa to take me?” Serena asked hopefully.
“But your grandparents recently went on a trip and caught a cold, so they declined the invitation.”
Louisa gently explained, “Mr. Albright has never made a big deal out of his birthdays because he didn’t want too many strangers around. The guests he’s invited this time aren’t many, just old friends. In other words, he’s not looking to take on any mentees, nor does he want others to do so at his party. If you want to see the world, there will be other opportunities, no need to rush this one.”
Louisa was somewhat surprised, “In the past eighteen years, I’ve never heard you express interest in attending anyone’s birthday party, let alone that of an elder.”
“That’s because I’ve seen my sister’s incredible talents, and I want to work hard and excel just like her.
If only grandpa and grandma hadn’t declined.”
Thinking this, Serena couldn’t help but inwardly criticize her grandparents. Mr. Albright was a man of significance, and yet they had dismissed such an important invitation. They didn’t even consider if anyone else in the family might want to go. What a waste.
Now that route was a dead end, Serena was fretting over what to do next. After much thought, a name popped into her head – Martin!
She wondered if Mr. Albright had invited him. If so, she could sweet-talk Martin into taking her.With this plan in mind, she abruptly left her parents, “Mom, dad, I’m going to take a shower!”
If she could just get into Mr. Albright’s birthday party, she was sure to find a great mentor and finally outshine Mirabella. Just the thought made her feel triumphant.
Feeling superior, she reflected on the fact that even if Mirabella was the Collins family’s beloved daughter, she didn’t have the privilege to attend!
But Serena’s triumph lasted all of two fleeting seconds before her mind raced back to a scene at school. Mr. Albright, in a very public setting, had proclaimed that Mirabella’s chess prowess was his tutelage at work, and even floated the idea of Mirabella succeeding him.
If Mirabella truly was his protege, given their mentor-mentee bond, it stood to reason that Mr. Albright would likely extend an invite to his birthday bash.
With that thought, Serena’s mood soured. It seemed Mirabella’s luck was infuriatingly good, having stumbled upon Mr. Albright’s guidance.
Without that stroke of fortune, Mirabella probably wouldn’t even know chess.
Her thoughts stewing, Serena’s fingers danced over her phone, sending a WhatsApp message to Martin.
[Martin, got an invite to Mr. Albright’s birthday bash? I heard he’s always been low-key, celebrating quietly. Never threw a big shindig like he’s doing this time. I’m head over heels for the violin, you know.
I heard a bunch of venerable old-timers will be there. Hope I can get a chance to bump into Jamie Noelle and earn a few pointers. I’m not a true Collins, as you well know. If I had a real talent, I’d be in your league, Martin, and your folks might even warm up to me. I don’t want the Collins family to pull strings for me. I want to impress Jamie Noelle with my violin skills, making her want to mentor me.
Martin, can you help me out?]
After sending the message, Serena got a case of goosebumps.
At the last inter-university competition, Alma had bowled over the judges with her violin, earning heaps of praise for her natural gift. Perhaps that snob thought she was the bee’s knees and got cocky. She even dared to challenge Mirabella to a face-off onstage.But Mirabella’s performance was crushing, garnering rave reviews.
Serena thought, if she could get Jamie Noelle’s tutelage, her violin skills would eclipse both Mirabella and Alma, and she’d be the rising star of the violin world.
Then, not just the Collins family, but everyone would look at her differently, including her aunt.
Even without the “daughter of the Collins family” label, as a maestro of the violin, she’d waltz into high society.
As for Martin, well, by then, who knew if he’d even be in her league!
With that thought, Serena allowed herself a smug smile.
Eugene Albright’s birthday party was set on his private estate, rivaling a 5-star resort in grandeur and beauty.
The invitation stated 7 p.m., but the road to the estate was already lined with luxury cars worth millions before the time. Their occupants were clearly people of wealth and stature.
The majestic gates stood wide open, the butler and a cadre of eight servants lined up to welcome the arriving guests.
Unable to sit still in the main house, Eugene himself took up a spot by the entrance, awaiting his guests.