Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Watching his mother on the stretcher bed, Martin was lost in a tumult of emotions. Nevertheless, he managed to voice his gratitude to the doctor for the treatment.
“Thank you, guys. I really appreciate the hard work.”
For the past couple of hours, a team of specialists from various departments had collaborated to perform a life-saving surgery on his mother.
“No need to thank us, it’s what we’re here for,” replied the doctors with a nod before leaving.
The nurse wheeled Florence into the ICU for further observation.
“Martin.”
Serena’s gentle voice called out to him from near the elevator.
Lifting his gaze, Martin saw her, poised and graceful, as Dora pushed her wheelchair toward him.
He quickly walked over to Serena and crouched beside her tenderly. “Did you hear? The doctors say Mom’s going to make it. But whether she’ll be back to her old self, well, that’s in her own hands now.”
“It must be your devotion and our undying love that moved the heavens. That’s why she’s still with us.”
“Your arrival seems to have saved Mom’s life. Does that mean you’re our little lucky charm?” Martin ruffled Serena’s hair affectionately before taking over from Dora and pushing the wheelchair into the elevator. “Now, let’s go see Diana. Maybe your charm can turn her luck around too.”
“Putting it that way makes me feel a bit pressured,” said Serena with a light laugh.
But Martin failed to notice the strain behind her smile.”How’s Diana doing? What did the doctors say?” Serena inquired from her wheelchair.
“It’s touch and go. The specialists are doing everything they can.”
“And Dad?”
“Dad’s awake in the ICU, but he doesn’t want to see me. He was really angry.”
Martin pushed Serena’s wheelchair to the twelfth floor where the maid, Lana, was waiting outside the operating room.
Lana’s expression turned sour upon seeing Serena. Martin’s mother and sister were in trouble because of her, and here she was, showing up as if nothing had happened. Even if it was Martin’s wish, didn’t she have any self-awareness?
Setting aside whether she genuinely wanted to visit Diana, considering Diana despised her so much, what if her condition worsened from the shock of seeing her?
Lana couldn’t fathom what Martin was thinking by bringing Serena along.
Reluctantly, Lana greeted them nonetheless.
“Mr. Martin, Ms. Serena, Ms. Diana is still in surgery.”Lana muttered, her mood dampened, but to keep her job, she reluctantly corrected herself, “Madam.”
Serena’s eagerness for the title ‘Madame’ betrayed her blatant ambition, utterly unmasked. Just then, the elevator dinged open and Fitch emerged, looking frantic. His temper flared upon spotting Serena.”What is she doing here?” Fitch challenged Martin, his voice thick with anger.
He couldn’t reach Diana all night long, and upon checking, discovered she had been in a car accident.
The vehicle was totaled!
“Serena is family to me,” Martin clarified.
“I don’t care who she is. Diana doesn’t like her, doesn’t want to see her. Diana is in there fighting for her life, and you can’t do anything to help. The least you could do is not make things worse,” Fitch said, casting an unhappy glance at Serena. “Just leave!”
“Martin, your friend doesn’t seem to like me.” Serena said in a pitiful tone from her wheelchair, tugging at Martin’s sleeve, “If that’s the case, I won’t stay and be a burden.”
“You know you’re a burden? Then why did you even come? I can’t stand your pretentious act. Don’t you feel disgusted with yourself? Do you think we’re blind and can’t see through your act? Just leave, we don’t need you here, and don’t bother visiting Diana with your fake concern.”
“Fitch,” Martin said, looking at his friend with a warning in his eyes.
“If you don’t like what I’m saying, then don’t bring her around me and Diana again. And about Diana’s accident, don’t you find it suspicious? If it was deliberate, whoever’s behind it, I’ll make sure they pay dearly,” Fitch said, his last words were almost spat out as he glared at Serena.
“I’ve checked the road surveillance where my sister’s accident happened. It was a truck driver who fell asleep at the wheel. It has nothing to do with Serena.”
“A truck driver falls asleep on a mountain road? Have you lost your mind?”
“The road surveillance was unedited.”
“And what if someone drugged the truck driver with sleeping pills beforehand?”Fitch’s words sent a wave of panic through Serena’s eyes.
That flicker of panic was immediately caught by Fitch. So, it truly was Serena?! Diana opposed Serena being with Martin, so Serena wanted to get rid of her?
Fitch looked like he wanted to strangle her, but in the next second, Martin stepped in front of Serena, glaring at his former friend.
“Have you had enough?” He understood Fitch’s deep feelings for his sister and knew his friend was upset seeing his sister rushed into the emergency room, which was why he had been patient so far.
But that didn’t mean he would allow his friend to keep slinging mud at his girl.
“It was her! Didn’t you see her face just now? She’s guilty!” Fitch was desperate to confront Serena.
“Martin, I’m scared.” Serena clung to Martin’s sleeve from her wheelchair, hiding her face behind him, “Let’s just go.”
Martin tried to push her away, but Fitch persisted, “Don’t leave until you make it clear, did you cause Diana’s accident?”
“How could she do that? She has no connections, no money.” Martin retorted angrily, “Fitch, you’ve crossed the line today.”
As the wheelchair passed by Fitch, he grabbed the armrest, glaring at Serena, “No one is leaving until this is cleared up!”
Martin’s look was fiery.
Fitch was equally defiant.”Who is the patient’s family?”
“Diana.” Fitch, not seeing Diana come out, immediately stepped forward, “I’m her boyfriend. How is she doing?”
“I’m her blood brother,” Martin also stepped forward.
Fitch and Martin, relief etched across their faces, were like survivors of a catastrophe, grateful for every breath they took.
Only Serena maintained a facade of calm, though inside her, a storm raged.
As a nurse wheeled out a gurney, Fitch quickly approached it. Leaning over, he whispered tenderly, “Diana, can you hear me? It’s Fitch, I’m here for you.”
“The anesthesia hasn’t worn off yet, she’s still unconscious and can’t hear you,” the nurse informed him. “Family members, please follow me. There are a few things you need to know.”
Fitch hurried to keep pace with her. “What things?”
“Are you a relative?” the nurse glanced at him and continued, “I’ll show you how to read some of the equipment and vital signs in the ICU. That way, you’ll know when to ring for help and when there’s no need.”
Fitch followed her into the room.
Serena tugged at Martin’s hand anxiously, “Shall we go?”
Fitch was too intimidating, and she couldn’t bear another second in his presence.
Although Martin wanted to stay with his sister, considering the hostility between Fitch and Serena, he decided to head back to the sixteenth floor where his parents were staying.
He arranged for a VIP room for Serena to rest in after her bath. When time came to sleep, he gave her the bed and unfolded a cot for himself.
Meanwhile.Mirabella had Stinger locked up in the basement of Reflections Villa.
Since the incident with Erik, she had increased security, making it the safest place to keep an eye on their captive.
Once the cap and mask were removed, Stinger revealed a face that was young yet weathered, indifferent, and numb. His eyes were devoid of human emotion, making him seem callous and detached.
Mirabella had noticed the distinctive knife scar on his hand when she captured him at the airport. His features matched the clues they had, leaving no doubt that he was the one who paid Yolanda to commit murder.
“You told Yolanda you were my enemy, that you wanted me dead more than she did, but couldn’t show yourself. I don’t know you, though. We have no history,” Mirabella confronted him.
Stinger’s expression remained impassive, silent in the face of her accusations.
It was as if he was waiting for death, his lifeless gaze betraying no hint of vitality.
“Damn it, my boss is talking to you!” Jack punched him in the stomach, annoyed by the lack of response.
Stinger merely winced in pain but made no sound.Mirabella gave him a look, signaling him to stop.
At that moment, a bodyguard hurried over, “Ms. Bella.”
He seemed to have urgent news. “Yes, boss,” Jack responded, standing guard.
Mirabella strolled into the living room of Reflections Villa, finding Lucas and Beverly comfortably ensconced on the couch, sipping tea and sharing laughs with her parents.
“Hey, Bella,” Beverly’s features, always graced with an aristocratic warmth, softened into a welcoming smile at the sight of Mirabella.
“What’s up so late? Aunt Beverly, Uncle Lucas, you needed to see me?” Mirabella settled into an armchair opposite them, an aura of authority emanating from her relaxed posture.
Beverly returned the smile, gentle as ever, “Recently, some trouble befell the family businesses, and all clues pointed to someone known as ‘Stinger’. Tonight, we found out you’ve nabbed him. Is that the case?”
Mirabella’s lips curved into a slight smirk, “You both are well-informed, indeed. Yes, he’s with me.”
“Would you mind turning him over to us? We’re eager to find out why he did that,” Beverly’s voice was soft, almost as if coaxing a child.
“Why indeed?” Mirabella mused, a playful edge to her tone. “Don’t you already know?”
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.