Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Sean hung up and wired the five million dollars to David’s account. A notification chimed on David’s phone confirming the transaction.
“Spill it now?” Sean was getting impatient, not so much about the cold but worried his sister might take the argument to heart.”Sean, to be honest, if you had the nerve to upset sis, you deserve some time to stand and reflect. I was about to take her side and give you a piece of my mind, but consider this five million dollars your ticket to peace.” David hung up before Sean could respond.
Questions swirled in Sean’s head as he realized his gullible little brother had just conned him.
Steward, sensing the drop in Sean’s mood, ventured cautiously, “Sean, did David give you any good advice?”
“Zip it,” Sean thought grimly. Alright, this was war. In a few days, he’d settle the score with David.
David, having cashed in, dialed up Hans, “Hans, there’s something big, about Bella, and it’s kinda risky.
I’m not sure I should spill it.”
“Out with it,” Hans’ voice was as commanding as ever, “Whatever it is, I’ve got your back.”
“Alright, Hans, but you’ve gotta protect me, don’t let me get hurt. By the way, lately my wallet’s been thinner than me.”
In no time at all, Hans had wired two million dollars to him.
“Thanks, Hans! Go give Sean a piece of your mind, will ya? He’s upset Bella.”
After delivering the message, David, back to his old tricks, sought out Chasel. “Hey Chasel, you curious about something involving Bella? For a mere two million, I’ll spill the beans!”
Chasel immediately transferred the two million dollars.
David couldn’t believe how easy it was to make money off his brothers. “It’s Sean. He’s been bullying Bella. Go give him what for.”
Next, he went to Clark. “Clark, man, we’ve got trouble. Someone’s got Bella all riled up, and I need two million for the courage to talk.”
Clark transferred the money without hesitation. “Alright, spill it. Who’s the jerk bothering my little sister?”
“It’s Sean. Time to go have a word with him.”
Flush with cash, David transferred a cool eleven million dollars to his sister’s account, feeling on top of the world.
“Bella, here’s some spending money for you. The holidays are around the corner, go treat yourself to some new clothes. Day after tomorrow, I’ll be home to hang with you—can’t wait to see you!”
Mirabella was a bit dazed receiving such a large sum out of the blue. “David, you don’t have to keep sending me money. I’m fine. Besides, you work so hard for it.””No, Bella, making this money was a breeze, seriously, no sweat. You deserve it!” He had contemplated saying a good word for Sean, but then thought better of it. Why should he, when Sean had upset Bella? Let him stand out in the cold for a bit longer!
It wasn’t long before Sean’s phone pinged with messages from his three brothers.
[Six months we don’t see you, and you come back just to upset Bella? Just wait until I get my hands on you.]
That was from Hans.
[I don’t care how wild you get when you’re out, but now you’ve upset Bella? You just wait. I’ve rescheduled my flight to come home earlier.]
That was from Chasel.
[We never say a harsh word to Bella, and you dare to upset her? Brace yourself, I’m on my way home to teach you a lesson.]
And that was from Clark.
Sean’s mouth twitched. That David had really spread the news far and wide.
Back in the living room.
Belinda suggested that Serena apologize to Mirabella, but Mirabella refused. She didn’t want to deal with the endless tears and drama.
“What do you guys think?” Belinda looked around at the others.Serena had done so many terrible things to Bella, and now she couldn’t even muster a simple “sorry.” It was letting her off too easy.
“Trying to harm Bella, and now an apology is supposed to mean something? She just doesn’t want to be locked up in the chilly basement, doesn’t want us all to be disappointed in her, doesn’t want us to hate her. With the holidays coming up, lots of family and friends will be visiting, and she doesn’t want her deeds to be exposed, ruining her image.”
Eunice stood there, her poise as cool and striking as ever, a hint of disdain curving her lips. “An apology for appearances? Spare us the fake remorse, really. You’ll just make Bella sick.”
“Right on the money, Eunice. No need for that,” Bard chimed in with a dismissive wave. “It’s not like those apologies ever meant anything to Bella before, did they?”
“Let’s just drop it. Out of sight, out of mind,” Darren sighed, shaking his head.
Just then, Mirabella’s phone buzzed again, drawing everyone’s attention. Belinda, ever curious, was the first to query, “Bella, is that a new phone?”
“Romeo got it for me,” Mirabella replied. “The old one gave out. Before the plane landed at Reflections Villa, we swung by the headquarters. Someone delivered it up to the helipad. It’s their latest model, hasn’t even hit the market yet.”
“That Romeo, always thinking ahead,” Belinda’s opinion of him soared. She’d seen the CCTV footage of Martha tossing Bella’s phone from the eighteenth floor and had been toying with the idea of getting Bella a custom phone. Little did she know Romeo would beat her to the punch.
Mirabella glanced at the new text message on her screen. It was a bank notification—she had just received ten million dollars, courtesy of Horace.
Soon after, a message from Horace popped up, [After that unfinished building went kaboom, seems like Sean’s brains got a bit scrambled. He’s not just handing over the island for free, he’s thrown in an extra five million ‘for candy’. That’s ten million in total, I’ve wired it over to you!]
Since Steward only had Horace’s banking details, he transferred ten million to Horace, who immediately forwarded the funds to Mirabella.
Mirabella couldn’t fathom what Sean was playing at.She typed back, [Beef up security on the island. If anyone tries to take it over or pulls any stunts, push back hard. Don’t worry about the consequences.]
“Will do.” Horace, puzzled by Sean’s antics but thrilled for Boss’ windfall, couldn’t help himself, “Boss, you think Sean’s got a crush on you? Dropping that kind of cash, he’s definitely interested! I mean, you are drop-dead gorgeous.”
“Hah.”
Like he stood a chance with Ophelia. He should look in the mirror before setting his sights on her friend. Dream on!
At that moment, Louisa entered the living room. Noticing her daughter’s troubled expression, she took a seat beside her and gently began, “Bella, it’s been way too long since your brother came home. I’ve given him an earful for it, but I just found out he’s been hurt. He didn’t want to worry us with the severity of his injuries.”
“He’s been hurt? What happened?” Mirabella’s concern was immediate.
“His people wouldn’t say. Just that he’s out of surgery and okay now.” Louisa watched her daughter closely, soothingly adding, “It’s wrong, him not coming home for so long, but don’t take it to heart.”
Mirabella wasn’t upset in the slightest, “I get it. My brothers are busy. It’s fine.”
Louisa listened, surprised. Was her daughter not upset about this? Then what was bothering her? Oh.
It dawned on Louisa.
“Your brother’s wild, acts on impulse, but he’s got a good heart.” She added, “He even asked me for your number a while back. I said no, and he went to your father. He cares about you.”Mirabella had never met Sean, but she listened intently.
“Your brother, he’s had it tough. Left the family business to Hans and struck out on his own. He’s had his share of hardships. He’s the one who handles the dirty work, keeping our hands clean. He’s the shield.”
“Back when Hans first took over, an envious relative nearly got him in a car accident. We had no proof it was him, but your brother didn’t hesitate—put that relative in the hospital. He’s always been a law unto himself, and they knew we couldn’t rein him in.”
But it wasn’t about control. He was destroying his image on purpose, using his own methods to protect his family from the shadows.
“If you ever feel uncomfortable about anything that he says or does, just let me know, and I’ll deal with him,” Louisa said with a protective fierceness in her voice.
Mirabella, puzzled by her mother’s words, replied, “He hasn’t done anything to me. We haven’t even spoken. As a matter of fact, I haven’t met him yet.”
Louisa looked perplexed. “The bodyguard at the door told me you two exchanged a few words and then you got upset and wouldn’t let him in. What’s that all about?”
“Wait, the guy at the door is my brother?” Mirabella’s eyes widened with surprise. The same Sean?
Could he really be her brother? Was this not some kind of trick?
“Yeah,” Louisa said, still a bit dazed. How could Bella not know that the man was her own brother?
“And there was an assistant with him?”
“That’s right, his name is Steward. He’s been by Sean’s side for years now.”
Upon hearing this, Mirabella immediately stood up and headed for the front door.
Outside, the two men had practically turned into snowmen. Steward was completely frozen stiff, staring longingly at the main house, never imagining that in the next moment, he’d actually see Ms. Bella opening the door and braving the heavy snow to walk toward them.
“Sean, I think I’m hallucinating from the cold.” Steward said, his breath forming clouds in the air, looking like an awkward snowman, “It really looks like Ms. Bella. Ms. Bella is coming.”
Sean noticed his sister approaching and his face lit up with excitement. It was really his sister!
She was coming to him!”Ms. Bella is getting closer. It’s real.” Steward’s gaze was filled with hope. “It’s really her, not a hallucination.”
He wanted to jump up and shout for Ms. Bella, but his feet were numb from the cold and he couldn’t move.
His hands were too stiff to lift.
Even his voice, muffled by the cold air, was quieter than usual.
“Ms. Bella. please let us in.” Steward pleaded, chattering teeth and all, mustering all his energy to shout, “Sean’s injured!”
Mirabella reached the gate, where the security guard quickly came out to salute. “Ms. Bella, I remembered your instructions and didn’t let them in.”
“Open the gate.”
The guard thought he had misheard, but seeing Ms. Bella’s resolute face, he immediately pressed the button to open the gate.
Finally, Sean could come in. It had been such a struggle.
The guard secretly rejoiced for him.