Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“It’s nothing, just making conversation,” Sean said, again trying to cover his tracks.
“I like strawberries, mangoes. Not a fan of pineapple, but if Bella’s around, I can handle anything.”Sean looked into her eyes and said, “You’re really good to her.”
“It’s her who’s good to me. She’s protective of me heart and soul. I’m blessed to have such a friend in this life.”
Not to mention friends like Kelly.
Ophelia could not help but feel she must have saved the world in her past life to deserve such fiercely loyal friends in this life.
“I’ll call a cab.”
Ophelia was about to hail a ride when Sean unexpectedly handed her a set of car keys.
They looked just like the set she had the night before, but these appeared brand new, unlike her slightly chipped and worn ones.
“Is this fixed?” Ophelia was surprised. That was so fast.
“Your old ride was riddled with bullets, interior shot to bits. The mechanic said it would take a month to fix.” Sean pushed the keys toward her again. “This one’s brand new. I got your old plate transferred to it, everything’s been cleared with the DMV. It’s road-ready.”
Ophelia was stunned that Sean would buy her an identical car and even take care of the license plate.
“Look, the whole mess started because of the Collins family. Those goons wanted to use you as leverage.” Sean maintained his key-offering stance. “Drive this home and your folks won’t suspect a thing. If your car suddenly disappeared, and they found out it was shot up, imagine the worry.”
“But…”
She knew he was going out of his way to gift her this car, she understood his intentions, but the gift was too lavish to accept.
“Last night, you were almost a casualty because of the Collins family. If you don’t accept this, we’ll all feel terrible. Consider it a small compensation from us.” Seeing her hesitation, Sean extended the keys closer. “If you don’t take them, I’ll have to drive you home myself.”
“Fine.” Eventually, Ophelia thanked him and took the keys, driving off in the new car.
As she drove home, she noticed the upgraded system, including the interiors and seats. It was definitely a deluxe version of her former car!How on earth did Sean manage to find such a rare, high-end model on such short notice.
Watching Ophelia drive away, Sean finally revealed a satisfied smile.
Great, she’d accepted his gift!
“Nice wheels.”
Clark’s sudden remark made Sean whirl around to see Hans, Chasel, and Clark standing behind him.
They’d been watching for who knows how long.
Chasel teased, “You’re so generous, giving away a gift worth millions.”
Hans chimed in, “I’ve never even received a decent gift from you all these years.”
Clark added with a sly grin, “Ophelia’s car is exactly the model I’ve had my eye on recently. Wonder if she’d give me a lift.”
“Back off.”
Hearing Clark, Sean warned, “If you so much as touch Ophelia’s car, I’ll break your legs.”
“Whoa, you want to break your brother’s legs?” Clark smirked provocatively. “Come on, let’s see you try.”
Then, noticing Bella approaching, Clark suddenly played the victim, “Bella! Waaah, Sean wants to break my legs.”
Sean couldn’t believe the theatrics of the man. He retorted, “Ignore him, he’s full of it.”
Mirabella’s gaze shifted to Hans and Chasel, who with a grave nod seemed to confirm Clark’s tale.”You guys.” Sean was shocked that both would conspire against him. Chasel, maybe, but Hans as well?
“I didn’t, really.” Sean feared his sister’s misunderstanding. “Are you ready? I’m taking you abroad.”
“Bella, don’t leave me. I’m afraid he really will break my legs.” Clark continued his melodrama.
Sean’s fists clenched a little tighter.
“Alright, everyone, cut it out,” Mirabella said with a tone that was half amusement and half exasperation, her gaze sweeping over her brothers before settling on Sean. “We can’t leave just yet. The Velvet Royale hasn’t been sorted, and we’re still one outfit short from completion.”
It dawned on Sean then: How could he have forgotten about the Velvet Royale! He wondered if the staff downstairs had found it.
“What’s this Velvet Royale ?” Hans and Chasel asked in unison.
Was their little sister in trouble?
Why hadn’t she told them?
Just then, Sean’s phone rang, and his voice brightened with a hint of joy, “Found it? Has it been delivered to QY? Good, well done.”
After hanging up, he turned to Mirabella and said, “The Velvet Royale’s been located, I’ve had it sent to QY already.”
“Thanks, Sean,” Mirabella replied promptly, “I’m going to check on it.”
“I’ll come with you!”
As Sean dutifully followed Mirabella, Hans, Chasel, and Clark exchanged puzzled looks. There seemed to be something going on between those two that the rest of them weren’t privy to.
When did Sean and Mirabella get so close, sharing secrets that even they, her older brothers, didn’t know about?Sean accompanied Mirabella to QY, and that’s when he really understood the magnitude of the empire his sister had built. More importantly, she was incredibly well-liked; wherever she went, respect and affection were readily offered.
This kind of respect and affection wasn’t the fearful and timid kind from subordinates to a boss, it felt more like the warmth between friends.
“President Mirabella, long time no see!”
“President Mirabella, so glad you could make it! You’ve gotten even more beautiful!”
“Hello, President Mirabella, and who is this gentleman?”
Mirabella introduced Sean with ease, and when they reached the production floor, Jaime, upon seeing Mirabella overseeing the operations, quickly approached, “President Mirabella.”
He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Mr. Sean trailing behind her.
The legendary tough Mr. Sean seemed so well-behaved behind his sister.
It was as if he had become another person.
“Hello, Mr. Sean?” Jaime greeted him with a smile.
“Don’t mind me, carry on with your work,” Sean said, taking a tour around QY. The place was massive, spanning ten floors, each specializing in different products. For instance, one floor was dedicated to hat-making, another to shoes.
The floor where Mirabella stood was reserved for top-tier VIPs only, and the awaited Velvet Royale had just arrived.Watching Mirabella attend to every detail with such dedication, Sean swore not for the first time to himself that he would make sure his sister suffered less, worked less hard in the future.
“Mr. Sean, your coffee has gone cold, allow me to get you a fresh cup,” Jaime offered, bringing him a new tea and some snacks.
“Help my sister instead, I’m fine here, no need to fuss over me,” Sean said, handing the tea Jaime brought for him to Mirabella, “Bella, have a drink, you’ve been at it for so long without a break.”
After sipping the tea, Mirabella said, “I’ll go check the finished garments in the inspection room for any issues. Wait here for me.”
Even after three quality checks, since these were garments for a princess, Mirabella wanted to personally ensure everything was perfect.
While waiting, Sean took out his phone and texted Ophelia.
[When Bella’s busy like this, how can I help her?]
Soon after, Ophelia replied, [Don’t disturb her. That’s the best help you can give.]
[Oh.] Sean texted back, a little deflated, before adding, [Did you get home alright?]
[I’ve made it to the headquarters, didn’t head back home.]
[You and Bella are such career-oriented women, so young and already working yourselves to the bone,] Sean’s text carried a hint of concern.
Ophelia replied with a light-hearted touch, [Work keeps us fulfilled, LOL.]
Seeing her in good spirits, Sean wrote, [You should rest if you’re tired, especially after last night’s scare, and diving back into work this morning. You still have that bruise on your forehead. The holidays are coming up, and a client sent me two crates of lychees and mangoes. I don’t have time to eat them all, I’ll have someone drop them off for you.]
Ophelia was about to type a refusal.
But then Sean added, [I’m heading abroad soon, no clue when I’ll be back. The house is overflowing with fruit, and I can’t possibly finish it. That’s the plan for now, I’ve got to drop Bella off.]
Before Ophelia could organize her thoughts and send a response, she saw Sean’s message and simply replied, [Okay.]
Sean was thrilled, so much so that he didn’t notice Mirabella’s return from the quality inspection.
Mirabella glimpsed Sean’s chat, noting the name change to Ophelia with a hint of surprise.
“Sean and Ophelia are moving that quickly? He even changed the nickname?”
Seeing his sister back, Sean quickly pocketed his phone, “Don’t tell her. I just changed it on a whim, wasn’t sure what to call her. I remembered you usually call her Ophelia, so…”
Mirabella couldn’t help but laugh at his embarrassment, “Let’s go, we can head to the airport now.””That soon?” Sean stood up in a hurry, “You’ve worked hard, Bella. On the plane, I can give you a shoulder massage.”
“Your massages? I’ll pass.”