Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“That’s fantastic! I’ll spread the good news and launch a pre-order link online, so they can place orders in advance.”
“Good”
After hanging up, Eunice arrived, and Darren and Belinda praised her again for her staunch support of the Ar-Bl-Clear Group.
“Bard is so blessed to have a wife like you.’ Belinda was full of admiration.
“Today, Romeo was also there to show support, first one on the scene, arriving even earlier than us.”
Darren suddenly felt the boy was genuine, truly fond of his granddaughter.“Romeo hasn’t arrived yet?” Eunice glanced around, casually mentioning to her in-laws, “I invited him over for dinner.
“Oh? He accepted? Then we better tell the kitchen to prepare extra dishes.
We can’t show any slight on him.” Belinda said as she hurried to the kitchen, looking quite delighted.
“I’m coming too.” Darren quickly followed his wife, “Need to have some fruit ready for after dinner. Not sure if the boy drinks, I’ll select a few low-alcohol options to have a toast with him”
“I bet it’s you who wants a drink”
After they left, Eunice spoke softly to Mirabella, “I know this isn’t as simple as it seems. KT is just a fall guy, and the real mastermind hasn’t shown their face yet. I will definitely get to the bottom of this, won’t let them get away with slandering the Ar-Bl-Clear Group.”
Mirabella’s gaze softened, “You needn’t trouble yourself, Aunt Eunice. I can handle this myself.”
“On my turf, no one can mess with my niece. I’m gonna make sure everyone knows that the Ar-Bl-
Clear Group is under the Griffith Group’s wing. Anyone who crosses her, crosses us.”
As Eunice spoke, she patted Mirabella’s back with a reassuring smile, “I’ll give your Uncle a buzz, tell him to come home for dinner, roll out the red carpet for Romeo”
“Isn’t Uncle Bard supposed to have a meeting tonight?” Mirabella recalled her uncle mentioning a work commitment and not planning to return for dinner.
She wanted to say that it wasn’t a big deal, just dinner, no need for all the fuss.
But Eunice uttered, “Meetings ain’t as important as Romeo. Tonight, we’re gonna treat him like royalty, all of us together!”
As for Martin.
Eunice’s mind drifted back to the last time Serena got plastered and took a swing at Martin Cooper.
She wondered if Serena ever properly apologized.
The thought of Serena possibly slipping something into Mirabella’s drink to embarrass her made Eunice’s blood boil.
“Let’s invite Martin some other time. Tonight, it’s just Romeo.” Having said her piece, she went off to make the call.
Then, the maid approached with news, “Miss. Collins, Mr. McMillian has arrived, and he’s brought a bunch of presents”Mirabella hadn’t expected Romeo to be late just because he was picking out gifts. Seeing him arrive, arms laden with offerings, she couldn’t help but chuckle, “Is all this necessary?”
Romeo always went here with numerous gifts; his intentions couldn’t be more transparent.
Grinning, Romeo asked, “Did they like the last gifts I brought?”
But someone beat her to the punch, “Loved them! They absolutely loved the gifts you brought last time.
Grandma, grandpa, your aunt, and uncle were all thrilled.”
Hearing this, Romeo and Mirabella found Darren, with a beaming smile, was striding towards them.
“But those gifts were too extravagant. It just doesn’t sit right with me. And now you’ve brought even more? No, no, after we eat, you’ll have to take these back with you!”
Darren set the gifts on the coffee table before clapping Romeo on the back in appreciation, “Good job, kid, looking solid. Do you work out regularly?”
Romeo glanced at Mirabella affectionately before nodding, “Yes.”
He wanted to make sure Mirabella feit secure, so no matter how busy, he always found time for the gym.
Darren looked him over approvingly, “Have a seat, have a seat. You youngsters must enjoy coffee, right? I’ll ask them to bring our finest brew.”
“I’ll have whatever Bella’s having. I’ve switched to lemonade and tea these days”
“Good choices! I’m a fan of drinking tea also! Lemonade’s too sour for my teeth.” Darren chuckled, “Let’s get the best tea we have”
“Thank you, grandpa Darren, for the hospitality.”“Thank me? We’re family” Darren said, contentedly eyeing Romeo, “You’ve met Bella’s folks, right?”
Romeo nodded, “i have.”
“I didn’t catch wind of you two dating before.” Darren was cut short as Belinda walked in from the kitchen, joining in, “You were bedridden. Even if they mentioned it, you wouldn’t have heard.”
When Romeo saw her, he politely stood up to greet her, “Grandma Belinda”
“Romeo’s here? Have a seat, make yourself at home!” Belinda beamed with warmth, “I caught the news today. That mess at the Ar-Bl-Clear Group, and you were the first on the scene. You’re such a hero.”
Hidden on the second floor, Serena watched as her grandparents fussed over Romeo, bringing him tea and pastries, clearly over the moon with their grandson-in-law. Serena couldn’t help but clench her fist in frustration.
Was all this really necessary?
Her aunt was so blatantly biased, inviting Romeo over for dinner but not Martin! Was it just because she thought Martin wasn’t graceful enough to sit with them?
With these thoughts swirling, she covertly snapped a photo of the scene and sent it to Martin.
[Seeing this just makes me feel sour. Aunt Belinda invited Romeo for dinner. I wish she’d invite you too.” Maybe because I’m not a true Collins by blood, they don’t pay me much mind, and that’s spilling over to you. Martin, when will we ever get some respect from this family?]
Her message was loaded with implications.
It was as though Eunice didn’t value Serena and thought Martin wasn’t good enough, intentionally excluding him.
Martin quickly replied, [It’s my fault for not making more money, for not being able to hold my head high in front of your family. Before I was too proud, too arrogant, thinking that making money by myself would be enough to provide a good life for you. I see now that was naive. From now on, I’ll seize every Opportunity to give you the life you deserve]Serena felt a twinge of irritation reading his words. No matter how hard he tried, he wouldn’t surpass Romeo in just a few months.
Still, she pretended to be encouraging, [No, I need to talk to Aunt Belinda about this, and try to get you invited over for dinner!]
[It’s alright, Serena. Your aunt can invite me whenever she finds it appropriate. It doesn’t have to be today.) Martin didn’t want her getting into a family squabble over him. After not hearing back from her for a while, he texted again, [Serena, please don’t. Just listen to me.]
Serena left him hanging for a long time.
Eventually, she sent a crying emoji, lamenting, [Aunt Belinda said tonight’s dinner is just for Romeo. I raised some objections, and she snapped back saying she’ll invite whoever she wants into her home.]
Martin couldn’t help but call her, his voice filled with concern, “It’s okay, Serena. The fact that you even spoke to your aunt about it means so much to me. I’m touched. I’m just not there yet, but I promise I’ll work harder to win their approval. Don’t upset yourself”
“Uncle Bard just arrived.” Serena whispered as she saw Bard return, greeting Romeo with utmost civility, “He’s praising Romeo, saying how relieved they are to have someone so capable for my sister. I bet it’s because Romeo brought another fancy gift!”
Serena said it with a pout, trying to hint that Martin should step up his gift game next time to outshine Romeo.
But Martin counseled, “Serena, your uncle’s a wise man. He wouldn’t heap praise on Romeo just for some gifts. There must be something about him.
Don’t be upset. I assure you, I’ll work even harder to gain their respect.Serena pouted, pretending to be moved, but inwardly she was full of disdain.
Promises for the future, who knew how long that would take.
She quickly found an excuse to hang up and retreated to her spying post on the second floor.
Every so often, Romeo’s gaze would drift to Mirabella, filled with adoration and affection, and Serena watched, filled with both envy and jealousy.
At that moment, Romeo’s phone rang.
Serena watched as he stood up and strolled towards the backyard. She hurried down the stairs and followed him stealthily, her mind whirring with secret calculations.
After ending the call, Romeo suddenly heard a voice call out, “Romeo.
He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“Romeo, I owe you an apology. What happened last time was my fault.”
Serena’s words hung in the air as she saw Romeo pocket his phone and stride past her without so much as a sideways glance.
Feeling humiliated, Serena raised her voice, “Don’t you even have the patience to listen to me?”
Romeo didn’t break his stride.
“Someone must have put you up to this. In my memory, you weren’t the heartless kind”
Before Serena could finish, she saw Romeo stop in his tracks, his eyes narrowing sharply, “Have I been too kind to you?”
An aura of displeasure radiated from him, his icy gaze cutting through her like a knife, as if he wanted to flay her alive.
“In my presence, you dare slander my fiancée? Are you tired of your cozy life with the Collins family?”
“Ever since you’ve been with my sister, you’ve treated me worse and worse.”Tears welled up in Serena’s eyes, a picture of profound grievance.
Romeo’s eyes were tinged with scorn at her words, “Who the hell do you think you are?”
Serena’s face changed instantly.
“Do I need to show any respect to someone like you? Speaking one word to you disgusts me”