Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Someone’s put a bounty on your head, a hefty one. I’ve got people back home looking into it, and I’m sure we’ll have answers soon.”
Mirabella’s gaze deepened with intrigue. Who could possibly want her dead?
Before Mirabella could voice her thoughts, Jack blurted out, “Boss, who’s the knucklehead that put a price on your head? The whole industry knows you’re not someone to mess with, given your skills and status. Who’d pull such a bone-headed move?”
Pausing, Jack couldn’t help but probe further, “Boss, you tick anyone off lately?”
Mirabella’s voice carried a lazy drawl, tinged with a hint of nonchalance, “Too many to keep track.”
In her line of work, making enemies was par for the course.
Some folks believed in the long game, holding grudges for years. Maybe it was an old adversary stirring trouble.
“But this time, I got a hunch these guys aren’t the same ones after Carol. After all, their power’s too strong to bother with bounties to take you down.”
At the mention of Carol.
Mirabella inquired, “How’s Carol doing, anyway?”
“She’s on the mend. Couple days back, she went solo to apologize to the Temple family. They weren’t having any of it, told her to stay gone. Then, there was this one time Celeste was visiting her daughter’s grave, got so overwhelmed with grief she passed out. Carol took her to the hospital, left without giving her name.”
Mirabella was surprised by the turn of events, “What about Celeste’s staff?””Crystal’s grave’s close to the Temple estate. Celeste always walks there alone, probably wants some private time to talk to her daughter.” Jack speculated.
Mirabella probed further, “So, the Temples cooled off yet?”
“It ain’t that easy. Though Carol’s back in her ancestral fold, there’s the issue with her biological family.”
Jack’s voice trailed off, heavy with implication.
Mirabella, sensing the discomfort in his tone, pressed, “What’s up?”
She recalled Jack sending her details on Carol’s birth family but hadn’t had the chance to review them.
Now, it seemed there were complications.
“Carol’s birth mother spent years searching for her missing kids to no avail, passed away from illness long ago.
Her dad remarried, had twins who are now eighteen. So when Carol and her brother Dennis showed up out of the blue, the stepmom wasn’t exactly welcoming.”
It was a clear threat to the family inheritance, wasn’t it?
“So, Carol’s finding it tough with her own folks,’ Mirabella said, a touch of empathy in her voice.
“Not exactly tough. She’s living with Clark, just visits her family now and then. But fitting in? That’ll take some time”
Understanding Jack’s point, Mirabella had a clearer picture now.
Just then, a servant knocked, “Ms. Bella, are you resting? Mrs. Griffith has awakened and wishes to see you.”
Mirabella ended her call and opened the door, asking, “You mean my aunt’s awake?””Yes, Ms. Bella, are you available now?”
“I am.”
“Please follow me.”
As the servant led the way, Mirabella remembered their first encounter. She had arrived empty-handed and now, on the spur of the moment, she wasn’t sure what to bring her aunt.
She had only prepared a gift for her uncle before because she had never known she had an aunt.
It must have been because everyone thought Bard’s wife was gone, and the painful memory was never brought up.
Mirabella followed the housekeeper into the living room, where she caught sight of a stunning figure standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows.
She was dressed in a chic silk robe, exuding elegance and sensuality, with her short, wavy chestnut hair giving off a vibe of sophistication.
“Ma’am, Ms. Bella has arrived.”
Eunice Griffith turned around, her striking features bold and vivacious. With her arms crossed over her chest, she radiated a powerful presence, yet carried it with undeniable flair.
Contrary to the delicate and gentle image Mirabella had envisioned, her aunt’s beauty was aggressive and provocative, like a thorny, mesmerizing rose, vibrant and dazzling.
“So, you’re Mirabella?” Eunice lifted the corners of her lips, her aura and poise perfectly balanced. She smiled warmly at Mirabella, “Come here, let me have a look at you.”
Mirabella stepped forward and greeted her aunt.
Eunice scrutinized her from head to toe, her alluring eyes filled with approval, “You do bear some resemblance to Louisa, but you have a stronger presence, and you certainly catch the eye.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Eunice.
Eunice’s red lips curled into a smile, “I’ve heard from your uncle that, despite your young age, you’re not only a medical prodigy and a top scholar but also skilled in self-defense, and you even have a retinue of loyal followers.”Suddenly, Gordon burst into the room, and the housekeeper, unable to stop him, apologized with a bowed head, “I’m so Sorry, ma’am, I couldn’t stop him.”
“It’s fine.” Eunice’s captivating eyes held a hint of nonchalance as she turned to Gordon, “What’s the matter?”
She seemed to always be in control, as if everything was within her grasp.
“Ma‘am, although the people you’ve brought back are fiercely loyal to you, they were once Alexander’s men. If there’s a seed of vengeance in them.”
“Gordon, you worry too much’ Eunice interjected confidently, “If I dared to bring them here, I trust them.
They wont do anything to hurt Bard or the Griffith family. I know you’re devoted to this house. Rest assured, they are on the same side as you, with aligned ambitions.”
With Eunice’s reassurance, Gordon immediately bowed, “My apologies for my concerns and for interrupting your leisure, ma’am.”
“You always have the Griffith family’s best interests at heart, which is a joy for me and for the family.
Someone, instruct the staff to double Gordon’s salary this month.”
Gordon was stunned by the sudden doubling of his pay, completely flabbergasted.
Mirabella’s respect for her aunt soared. Eunice had expected to be on her own in “enemy territory,’ yet here was she, having won over many of Alexander’s followers, ensuring their loyalty.
It was clear Eunice was no ordinary woman.
Once Gordon had left, Eunice’s gaze returned to Mirabella, her tone softening again, “I came back in such a hurry that I haven’t had the chance to prepare a welcome gift for you. Let’s go to the mall later and pick something out.”Before Mirabella could refuse, Eunice added, “No refusals. It’s been a while since I had a day out shopping.
Consider it keeping me company, a favor to me.”
Mirabella smiled, “Alright.”
“There’s my good girl.” Eunice affectionately tapped Mirabella’s nose, her eyes filled with indulgence, “I’ll go change my clothes then.”
“Wait, Mirabella called out to her.
Eunice couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she felt a wave of relief when Mirabella’s slender fingers rested on her wrist, checking her pulse. She let out a chuckle, “Well? What do you think?”
Mirabella was taken aback, not expecting her aunt to be in such great shape.
“It seems you have been living the high life.”
“Of course, I can’t just sit around waiting to wither away. I’m convinced their schemes will unravel eventually, just like a secret too big to keep. Until then, my job is to stay radiant and collect their misdeeds, turning their allies to my side.”
Mirabella had to admire her aunt’s savvy. Eunice was a woman who knew how to adapt, to protect herself, and had plenty of smarts.
Eunice was truly the perfect match for Bard. They were like a power couple straight out of a superhero movie.
“See you in a bit.” Eunice flashed Mirabella a knowing smile before gracefully ascending the staircase.
For some reason, spending time with Aunt Eunice felt like a breath of fresh spring air. It was invigorating and refreshing.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town.
Serena had been racking her brain and decided she couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. So, she went to find Louisa and cooed, “Mom, Martin’s been tied up with a big deal in Dawnstar, hasn’t been home in ages. He’s been asking me to visit, and I was thinking, maybe I should go, check in on Grandpa and Aunt Eunice too.”She wrapped her arms around Louisa’’s, playing the doting daughter, “I heard Aunt Eunice’s back, and I can only imagine how much she’s been through. There are things she might not feel comfortable telling Uncle Bard. If I go, she’d have someone else to confide in”
Perhaps fearing Louisa’s refusal, Serena added while swinging her mom’s hand gently, “Please, let me go.
Grandpa adored me, and Aunt Eunice was always so kind. It just doesn’t sit right with me, staying here doing nothing.”
Louisa chuckled helplessly, “I think you’re just missing Martin and itching to see him. Alright, alright, you can go.
I won’t stop you. But how will you travel? Will you take the family jet or a commercial flight?”
Seeing her mother finally agree, Serena beamed with joy, “Martin said he’d send a plane for me.”
“Martin’s so good to you, darling. I’m glad. I’ll rest easy knowing you’re with him,’ Louisa said with satisfaction.
“Invite him over when he’s less busy. We should get to know him better.”
Serena thought cynically, “Hmph, she probably wants to set up a scene where Romeo outshines Martin, to give her biological daughter a boost and leave me, the adoptive one, embarrassed.”
Although Serena believed she had guessed Louisa’s intent and felt uncomfortable, she maintained a sweet demeanor and agreed.
When it was time to leave, Louisa packed a variety of expensive gifts for Serena to take as presents.Halfway to the airport, Serena instructed Erik, the driver, to deliver the gifts to Martha instead. Martha would sell them discreetly, with the proceeds going straight into Serena‘s private account.
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.