Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“My brother’s relationship with that actress is strictly business. You’re his girlfriend and my dear friend.
He would never do anything to hurt you.”
Mirabella’s words made Kelly pause for a split second before she got it!
All these guests, all these eyes on her.
And they hadn’t expected her to turn up.Now, with her arms crossed over her chest and her face lifted proudly, she said somewhat petulantly, “Considering Bella’s speaking up for you, I’ll forgive you this time. But remember, there won’t be a next time!”
After he finished, he smiled apologetically at the other guests, “Excuse us for a moment.”
As the trio made their way upstairs, suddenly, an excited voice rang out.
“Kelly?”
It was Louisa!
She had just returned home with Kenneth after bidding farewell to their guests when she caught sight of her son and Kelly in a tiff–both unexpected and delightful, she couldn’t contain her joy.
“So you and David are in a relationship.”
Louisa was ecstatic, quickly reaching for Kelly’s hand and exclaiming, “You’ve kept this a secret so well, child. At Bella’s homecoming banquet, I asked if you had a boyfriend, and you told me no.”
“Uh, Auntie.” Kelly knew this misunderstanding had gone too far, and she tried to pull her hand away, but to no avail.
“I understand, you must have been thinking of David, knowing he’s under a confidentiality agreement.
You’d rather take the hit yourself than let him breach it and pay the penalty.”
Kelly was still trying to withdraw her hand.
“I saw you two having a moment just now. Did this guy get too close to some female celebrity and break your heart? He’s got a girlfriend and still can’t keep his distance with others. I’m going to set him straight right now!”
Kelly barely managed to say there was no need when, in the blink of an eye, Louisa had David by the ear.
“Mom, that hurts, let go.” David never imagined his own mother to twist his ear quite so firmly!
A famous star with millions of fans, being reprimanded by his mother in public. How mortifying!
Where’s justice in the world?!”Louisa, please let him go. Bella already explained, it was a misunderstanding, it’s not his fault.” Kelly, seeing Louisa’s firm grip and feeling empathic pain for David, quickly stepped in to clarify.
Seeing Kelly rush to defend her son, Louisa knew their relationship was real, and her heart bloomed with joy.
She let go and warned her son, “See how much Kelly cares about you! From now on, whatever you do, think of Kelly first. Don’t break her heart again! Since you’re dating her, you better treat her right.”
David rubbed his sore ear, “You’re my mom, whatever you say is right.”
“Did you hear me?!”
“I heard you, I heard you.”
“Kelly, come with me. Kenneth, please entertain our guests.” Louisa took Kelly by the hand and they went into the bedroom.
“Sorry, everyone, please help yourselves to some tea and pastries.” Kenneth took his place at the head of the table to entertain the guests, saying with a hearty laugh, “We always thought David was single, but turns out he’s been quietly seeing someone and we’re just finding out today.”
“It’s alright, we saw Kelly today, beautiful and graceful. She and David make a perfect match; we’re just happy for David, and happy for you as parents.”
“The Collins family just keeps having good news; it’s going to be a great year! Everything will go well for the Collins family.””Let’s toast to you in advance.”
“All your six children have all found great matches, we are beyond pleased. We’ll toast with tea instead of wine to honor you.”
“Yes, absolutely, this calls for a toast!”
Inside the bedroom. Kelly tried to say she wasn’t her daughter-in-law, that that she was just playing along with David.
“Auntie, actually I…”
“I know, Kelly. David is always so busy, hardly has time for you. I felt sorry for you. If you ever feel bored, you can come to Auntie. I’d be happy to go shopping or have meals with you.”
Kelly couldn’t bear to deceive her further. Just as she was about to clarify, Louisa took out her phone.
“Let me add you as a contact, dear. Even though I have many children, none can really be around to keep me company. It didn’t seem long after Bella came back into our lives that she became busier than her brothers. I would be so glad if you wanted to join me for meals and shopping.”
Kelly took out her phone and opened her contacts, “Auntie, I’d love to hang out, but the relationship with David.”
“I get it, you two are just dating. As to whether you will make it to marriage, that depends on his behavior. David may seem carefree, but he’s actually very caring. You can ask Bella if you don’t believe me.”
“Auntie, I know David’s a great person.”
“You are just like Bella, so young and yet so capable, already able to manage a corporation, still practically a university freshman.”
Mentioning Mirabella made Louisa’s eyes well up with tears again. Mirabella was too understanding, having suffered silently for so long while being bullied by Serena.
Kelly wanted to comfort her, knowing Bella never came off worse in her encounters with Serena.
But Louisa brushed away and smiled, ” I have digressed. You came to see Bella today, didn’t you? I won’t keep you much longer. Let me put this bracelet on you.””No, I can’t accept it. David and I are not the relationship you think we are, just now we were only…”
Before Kelly could finish, Louisa’s phone rang.
“I understand. You two were just having a little spat earlier. It’s okay, I won’t take it to heart. He was at fault, and you had every right to be upset. Just wear it for now.”
Louisa slipped the bracelet onto Kelly’s wrist and gestured for her to go find Bella. Then she picked up her call, diving into a chat with her friend.
Kelly didn’t get a chance to speak a word.
After a while, Kelly approached Mirabella, gesturing to the bracelet on her wrist. They headed to the garden, and David followed.
“Bella, what should I do? She has got it all wrong. I’ve tried so many times and can’t get this bracelet off.” Kelly struggled again to remove it, but the bracelet seemed custom-made, clinging snugly to her wrist.
Mirabella gave a small, amused smile. “The white jade actually looks pretty good on you.”
Before she could finish, Kenneth came out to see off some guests.The guests noticed her prominently displayed bracelet and complimented Kelly, “What a beautiful bracelet.” Kenneth grinned and said, “It’s for the daughter-in-law.”
“David, I can’t wait to get my hands on your wedding sweets! Make sure you send me an invitation when the time comes.”
“And for your wedding, Grandma Stacy will surely give you a gift.”
Kelly forced a strained smile; the misunderstanding had deepened.
“Kelly has just taken over the family business and is swamped with work, and my schedule is packed toot. I’m afraid you will have to wait a bit longer,” David said, escorting guests out with his father. “But if there’s any good news, we’ll definitely let everyone know.”
“David, my boy, you might be busy, but don’t keep Kelly waiting too long.”
“Absolutely, you have to give her a wedding—that’ll be the talk of the nation.”
“You two really look like a matching pair, a perfect couple indeed.”
Kelly watched their retreating figures with a wry smile. A perfect couple? How could they look like a perfect couple!
“Bella, what should I do with this bracelet.” Kelly turned her gaze to Mirabella.
“Do you have any feelings for David?” Mirabella suddenly asked.
“What?” Kelly looked at her friend in surprise. “You don’t think we’d be a good match as well, do you?”
“You’re both single, and if you don’t dislike each other, you could start as friends and see where that leads.”
“You want me to be your sister-in-law?” Kelly was stunned. “Ever since I started managing the company, I barely have time to sleep, let alone date.””But you’ve been wanting to get out of the single club, right? Mr. and Mrs. Piper have been on your case, and my parents are doing the same to my brother.”
“But we can’t just settle…” Kelly looked in the direction David had left. He was handsome, with a good personality, but she had never considered dating him before. However, using such an outstanding person as a shield didn’t sound too bad.
It would stop her parents from nagging her, prevent relatives from setting her up on dates…
Her life could be a lot quieter!
“Put the bracelet away for now; I’ll talk to David later. By the way, you haven’t told me what you wanted to see me about today.”
“What happened?””The other day at the homecoming banquet, didn’t you hold a raffle to give away cars to 99 lucky fans?
Some of them got into accidents, and inspection reports show that there’s something wrong with those cars. Now there are voices online questioning the quality of the cars, suggesting that the Collins family is just putting on a show. They’re doubting that the cars’ actual quality doesn’t match the price, accusing the Collins family of using subpar cars for show.” Mirabella’s lips curled into a smile, almost excitedly, “It seems like someone behind the scenes is getting restless and stirring the pot.”
“Now there are voices doubting whether the Collins family’s true daughter is as stellar and well-
behaved as claimed during the banquet.”
“Also, there are some voices online saying that the Collins family didn’t visit the injured at the hospital right away. I bet that your parents have already heard the news.”
Mirabella’s lips quirked up slightly. “Are they just trying to get me to the hospital to check on those injured?”
“You mean, there are loads of reporters lurking around the Collins estate and the hospital, just waiting for you to show up so they can pounce for an interview? Someone behind the scenes wants to put you on the spot, embarrass you, and stir up chaos for the glamorous Collins family and tarnish your reputation.”
“Not exactly.” Mirabella’s expression remained neutral. “All that does not matter so much. The main issue is that ever since my identity as Dr. Bell was revealed, I’ve had to deal with a lot of unnecessary trouble. I’ll call Hans, and I’ll represent the Collins family to visit the victims at the hospital.”