Chapter 160 – Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family

Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family

Perhaps not expecting Grace to respond this way, Demetrius and Olga felt uneasy.

“I’ve been capable of running this company all these years, you know that. It’s just a tough economic climate now.”

Before Demetrius could finish, Grace laughed, “Is it really the economy? Did you not notice that our luck has run dry since you sent Bella away? You kicked out our goddess of fortune, and you don’t even realize it.”

“Don’t get too upset, your health is important.”

Demetrius quickly tried to soothe her: “Olga and I holding shares means we can continue to manage the company as major shareholders; this would take some pressure off you, and we can make more money to take care of you. Plus, the company won’t be taken over by other shareholders, and we can solve our current predicament. Isn’t that a win–win?”

He repeated to Grace what Olga had previously said.

“If we could solve our current predicament, we wouldn’t need your shares, right? But we are out of options; it’s a last resort. And if the company goes bankrupt, even if we have loads of shares, they would be worthless!”

Grace understood his point and gave a cold laugh, saying, “I’m not helping you.”

Upon hearing this, Demetrius became more anxious: “You may not be aware of the current state of the company; even the factories have been closed down. If this continues, our company will really go bankrupt!”

“Well, you made your bed; now lie in it!” Grace retorted angrily, “You’re nowhere to be seen normally, but now that you need a favor, you remember me?” “We’ve been very busy with all the things happening in the company recently; it’s not like we deliberately avoided you.” Demetrius tried to persuade her with more words. But Grace had made up her mind: “If you really cared about me, you wouldn’t have sent Bella away behind my back when I was seriously ill, separating me from my granddaughter!”

At this, Ølga couldn’t hold back any longer. “But Yoli is your real granddaughter! Why are you only seeing Bella? She’s not even our blood relative!“.

“So what!” Grace snapped back, “You’re not even as good to me as she is! Do you know how much she’s sacrificed for this family?”

“How have we not been good to you? Have we not sacrificed anything?”

Olga was furious. Grace was really good at twisting the truth. Yoli had prepared so many gifts for her today; wasn’t that a sign of goodwill? Where did they go wrong?

They’ve been working hard running the company and taking care of the family all these years; didn’t they sacrifice anything?

Was Grace blind to their efforts?

Seeing them start to argue, Demetrius hurriedly tried to mediate: “Alright, everyone calm down.”

“I’m not giving up any shares!” Grace was angry and coughed a few times before adding, “Not just shares; my house, car, savings–I’m not giving up anything! Get out.”

Just as Demetrius was about to speak, he was cut off by her angry roar: “All of you, get out!”

Olga wasn’t satisfied and angrily questioned her, “Are you not showing your money now because you want to leave it to Mirabella?”

“Who I want to leave my money to is my business, none of yours! If you don’t leave, I’ll call for help!”

Seeing Grace’s explosive temper and her incessant cough, Demetrius quickly dragged Olga out of the room.

“Don’t yell at her, if you annoy her to the point of something bad happening, we won’t get a single thing!”

“How’s that possible?” A vicious glint flashed in Olga’s eyes. “Isn’t it right and lawful for you, her only son, to inherit her wealth after Grace passes away?”

She wished Grace would just die already, so she wouldn’t have to keep coming to the hospital.

Olga thought about it and found it to make sense.

She must not let Mirabella get the upper hand!

“Let’s go,” Demetrius, holding Olga’s hand, sighed. “We’ll come back when Grace has cooled down.”

“Stop dragging me.”

After a few steps, they noticed Yolanda was still standing there, her eyes filled with tears of grievance.

Demetrius turned back, puzzled. “Yoli, what’s wrong?”

Yolanda’s tears finally fell as she said pitifully, “Grannie Grace only has Bella in her heart. Is it because I haven’t been doing enough to win Grannie Grace’s favor? Dad, I’m sorry, I’ve embarrassed you.”

Her voice was thick with the urge to cry.

Demetrius’s heart ached, and he went over to comfort her. “It’s not your fault; you’ve been doing great. Bella must have used some tricks.”

She must be buttering up Grace a lot; old folks love kids who do that!

“We’re busy and haven’t been coming here; that gave her the chance.” That’s what Demetrius thought.

Yolanda, her eyes filled with tears, asked innocently, “So, if I learn from Mirabella, visit Grannie Grace often. Even if Grannie Grace scolds or hits me, I’ll bear it silently. Will Grannie Grace like me then? If so, I’ll come every day!”

“Why would you ever want to learn from Mirabella? She’s not worth a hair on your head!” Olga stepped forward, taking her hand. “Let’s go home; we’ll have someone cook you something nice.”

“We can’t go home yet; I have an idea.” Demetrius suddenly whispered something in Olga’s ear.

Just as Mirabella arrived at the office entrance, a group of people rushed up to her.

“Ms. Bella, hello, I’m the assistant to Tracy, the vice president of the Solterra Fashion Association, and a renowned designer. Do you have a moment to listen to what I have to say?”

The speaker was a twenty–something girl who looked fresh out of college, still carrying a youthful innocence.

“Go ahead.” Bella responded calmly, her expression unchanging.

The girl was taken aback; normally, hearing of Tracy’s position would have shocked her.

But Mirabella’s reaction was so casual, as if she had met even more important designers.

Feeling awkward, the assistant quickly explained her purpose. “Actually, when you were accompanying Designer Molly to the National Design Competition, Tracy noticed your talent. She thinks it’s a waste for you to be just a small assistant and wants to personally mentor you to make a name for yourself in the design industry! Are you interested?”

“A lowly vice president trying to recruit, isn’t that embarrassing?”

At that moment, a refined gentleman with gold–rimmed glasses stepped forward, politely saying, “Hello, Ms. Bella, let me introduce myself. I’m the secretary of Lloyd, the honorary president of the Asian Clothing Organization. I’d like to invite you to join our big, tight–knit organization.”

“Hello, Ms. Bennett, I’m the editor–in–chief of International Fashion Magazine.”

As Mirabella listened to them introduce themselves, before she could even refuse, Dean appeared.

“Ms. Bennett, I heard you were here; I have something urgent. Who are these people?” Dean looked at the group in confusion.

The people present were also taken aback, simultaneously asking, “Ms. Bennett?”

Wasn’t she Designer Molly’s assistant?

Why did it sound like she’s someone important?

“Ms. Bennett, are you doing business?” Dean thought he might have interrupted them. Looking at Mirabella, he whispered, “Should we invite them upstairs? Are they from the same company or different ones?”

Judging by their attire, they don’t seem to be from the same company.

There have been a lot of people seeking collaborations with them recently.

“Isn’t she Designer Molly’s assistant?” One of them couldn’t help but ask Dean.

Dean was taken aback. “No, Ms. Bennett was just accompanying Designer Molly to the competition, giving her courage and confidence. Ms. Bennett is actually one of our company’s leaders.”

Then it dawned on everyone: So that’s why she didn’t accept the job offers..

Someone as talented as her at Collins Corporation must be paying her a hefty salary to keep her here.

“Ms. Bella, if you’re willing to join our company, we can offer you three times your current salary.”

“We can offer five times!”

“What we offer is fame and status! I believe you’re passionate about this industry and want to make a name in the design field; that’s why you’re staying in this company, right?”

“Why work in such a small company when you can show everyone your design talent?”

“You’ve heard of Tracy’s fame, haven’t you?”

She hadn’t.

“I’m just working a summer job.” Mirabella said nonchalantly, “I don’t plan on becoming famous.”

What she really loved was probably medical research.

“Here’s my business card; if you change your mind, call me anytime, no matter how late or whether it’s a weekend; I’ll answer!”

“Me too! Here’s my contact information.”

“And mine.”

Everyone eagerly handed over business cards.

Out of politeness, Mirabella took them. After they left, she asked Dean, “Did you need something?”

“Ms. Bennett, it’s like this.” Dean hadn’t finished speaking when he heard someone calling Ms. Bennett’s name.

He looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a Maybach parked at the company’s entrance. The middle–aged man who got out of the car radiated confidence; he was clearly a man of wealth.

“Bella, I need to speak with you.”

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