Filed to story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“Is that Phillip McMillian? He’s attending Mr. Albright’s birthday party also?”
His presence was significant, a man looked up to by all.
Rumors had swirled that he was unwell, needing hospital rest, but here he was, looking spirited and dapper in a black suit. Despite the cane, he radiated vitality.
Guests flocked to greet him.
“Phillip, good to see you! I’m the head of Aubrey Electronics, Aubrey. My father’s Bancroft. It’s an honor to meet you tonight. May I shake your hand?”
“Phillip, do you remember me? I’m Vivian, and this is my daughter Roxanne. You held her when she was just a little girl.”
Roxanne had not expected Phillip to make an appearance, given the rumors of his illness and withdrawal from social events.
In the elite circles, everyone knew Phillip’s grandson was Romeo, a man of almost divine allure.
Her mother nudged her, and Roxanne stepped forward with a smile, “Mr. McMillian, it’s a pleasure to see you. I’m Roxanne.””Hello, hello.” Phillip tried to make his way toward Eugene, but the crowd was thick, blocking his path.
“Phillip? Is it really you? Do you remember me? I’m Bluno. We met at a charity gala three years ago.
My dad and I were seated right behind you, and we even exchanged greetings.”
Bluno was a businessman, not forgetting to introduce her daughter to him, wearing an ingratiating smile, “This is my daughter Lindsay, just started her freshman year at college. I’m a bit embarrassed to say, while my kid’s still hitting the books, your grandson’s already running the whole show at the corporation, haha, quite the prodigy!”
Lindsay knew exactly what her father was aiming for with his words. She played along, gracing Phillip with a sweet smile as she said her hellos.
“Hello, Mr. McMillian, I’m the unfilial daughter, Lindsay.”
“Unfilial? No way! Nice to meet you.”
Phillip had no clue who the people around him were. His plan for the evening was simple: to bring a birthday present for Eugene, have a slice of birthday cake, and most importantly, to see his darling granddaughter-in-law. He hadn’t expected to be swarmed by guests, packed tighter around him than sardines in a can, leaving him gasping for air.
It was his own fault for not bringing the butler. Had the butler been there, at least a few eager faces might have been kept at bay.
“Phillip? Is that you, or are my old eyes deceiving me? How long has it been since we last caught up?”
Mr. Gardner barged in, elbowing Bluno aside. He stretched out a hand and shook Phillip’s whether he wanted to or not, chuckling, “We used to play chess together, remember?”
Actually, Phillip had no memory of it, but considering everyone present had been invited by Mr. Albright, he nodded politely, “It’s been ages, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah, ages! Our last game must’ve been seven or eight years back. You were vacationing at the McMllian Corporation’s villa resort, staying in the presidential suite. I was right next door. I happened tobe carrying a chess set as you were heading out, and we ended up playing a few rounds.”
This jogged a vague memory for Phillip, but it was a distant memory, one he wouldn’t have recalled without prompting.
“Look at how big my granddaughter has gotten. Sylvia, where are you? Come say hello to Mr.
McMllian, would you? Kids these days, no sense of propriety.” Mr. Gardner said, eyes crinkling with a smile, “This is Sylvia, my granddaughter. If I remember correctly, you mentioned having a grandson about her age?”
“They do seem to be peers,” Phillip replied, looking to move on.
“Phillip? Is that you?” A well-dressed elderly lady with a kindly face approached him, “It’s been so long.
I’m Amanda, Ted Remington’s wife. Do you remember me?”
Phillip did remember Ted – a well-known chess master. While not as famous as Eugene, Ted was still beloved by many.
“How has he been?” Phillip inquired with genuine interest.
He remembered watching Ted win championships and had even played chess with him a few times.
Their longest game had stretched from dawn until dusk, with meals eaten over the chessboard. They had shared a certain camaraderie.
“He passed away.” Amanda’s voice trailed off as her eyes welled up, and she dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, her act so overdone that even Bluno wanted to curse out of sheer irritation.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.””It’s okay. He passed away happy. Before he left us, he passed on all his chess knowledge to his granddaughter. Oh, speaking of which, this is my granddaughter, Mabel. Come and say hello to Mr.
McMllian,” Amanda called out.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. McMllian.” Mabel greeted with a well-mannered smile that seemed to convey a depth of knowledge, “My granddad used to speak so highly of you. Now that I see you in person, you indeed carry yourself with such distinction. He always regretted not having the chance to play another game of chess with you. If you find the time, may I have the honor of playing in his stead?”
Bluno, who stood nearby, couldn’t hide his disdain as he snorted in amusement, sparing no mercy as he exposed her, “If I’m not mistaken, that’s exactly what you said to Mr. Albright just a moment ago.”
She had claimed that her grandfather’s biggest regret was not having the chance to play another game of chess with Mr. Albright.
“Young lady, it’s not good to fib at such a young age.”
“What fib? My dear departed husband always kept two chess companions closest to his heart: Mr.
McMllian and Mr. Albright. What would a youngster like you know? Now step aside,” Amanda retorted with a mix of scorn and dissatisfaction that only someone of her advanced years could get away with when addressing a man of Bluno’s stature.
However, when she turned to Phillip, her tone softened considerably, “Phillip, let me raise a toast to you on behalf of my late husband, shall I?”
“Oh no, no need. I can’t partake in spirits anymore; my personal physician has forbidden it. No alcohol, no spicy food. I must stick to the doctor’s orders.”
“It seems this young doctor of yours knows their stuff, to keep you so in line.” Amanda didn’t press the issue further, but added, “Speaking of which, I’ve been feeling quite worn out lately, as if my body can’t keep up. Perhaps when you’re free, you could introduce this doctor to me?”“She’s very busy, and it was a huge favor to have her treat me.” Phillip was reluctant to burden his precious granddaughter-in-law with more work, “I think it’s just your age catching up to you. If there’s no serious ailment, any general practitioner should suffice.”
A tad embarrassed, but still smiling, Amanda conceded, “You’re right.”
“I better go greet the birthday boy; I’ve already arrived late as it is. Please excuse me.”
Despite Phillip’s words, a number of guests were still eager to hobnob with him, seizing on this rare opportunity. His presence was a golden chance they didn’t want to miss.
Phillip quickened his pace, wishing he could fly over to Eugene’s side, all the while wondering where on earth Romeo was. It was already late, and he was nowhere to be seen, not there to offer him some much-needed assistance.
“Alright, break it up. Don’t scare Phillip away now. We’re here to celebrate Mr. Albright’s birthday, not to talk shop,” President Barton knew exactly why these people were hounding Phillip – they were hunting for a chance to collaborate with the McMllian Corporation. Crowding around Phillip would only annoy him.
“President Barton, we just wanted to say hello to Phillip,” a persistent guest insisted, champagne glass in hand.
“Yeah, just a quick word, and then we’ll be on our way.”
“We haven’t had the chance to thank Phillip properly for the big favor the McMllian Corporation did for us.”
“The McMllian Corporation isn’t under his management anymore. If you have business, go talk to Romeo.” President Barton steered Phillip away by the shoulders, “If I hadn’t spotted you from afar andcome to your rescue, you’d still be stuck in the same spot.”
“Yes, yes, you’ve got the keen eye. Where’s my darling granddaughter-in-law?”
“There you go, just as I thought. You’re here to see Mirabella,” President Barton chuckled, well aware that the presence of these old timers was due in no small part to that young lady.
“Hey, kiddo, take a peek at who’s coming our way,” President Barton, with a grin stretching from ear to ear, strolled over with Phillip in tow.
Mirabella, catching sight of the duo, was somewhat taken aback, “Grandpa Phillip? You two know each other?”
“Hahaha, talk about serendipity!” Phillip approached Mirabella, his smile beaming, “Back in the day, I was tight with Tanner. You know, one thing led to another, and I got to know all his pals.”
It all clicked for Mirabella then.
“Tanner used to brag about having this grandkid who was a real firecracker, even more so than my own. Said you were so out of this world, and I thought he was just blowing smoke.”
Phillip had never met Mirabella, only hearing about her through Regan’s tall tales, so he never took it seriously.
“Turns out, his grandkid is you! And here I was thinking there was no meat on that bone of a story.
Tanner, you sure do talk a big game.” Phillip couldn’t stop smiling, “Bella’s not just your granddaughter;
she’s gonna be my granddaughter-in-law, and that’s a done deal.”
“Whoa there, hold your horses! That’s the real pie in the sky. Whether she becomes your granddaughter-in-law is still up in the air. Look at you, all puffed up with pride,” Regan roared with laughter.
Phillip, bearing a gift, chimed in, “Mr. Albright, no need for a long speech. Today’s your birthday, so here’s to eternal bliss and a life as long as the heavens. Let’s both make it to a hundred, watch Bella walk down the aisle, tie the knot, have kids. And if she has a little Bella, we’ll all be there to help raise her.””That’s what I’m talking about.” Eugene laughed heartily, his only wish in life being to see his dear Mirabella wed, “But is your grandson reliable? My precious Mirabella can’t be mistreated by anyone.”
“If my grandson dares to treat her poorly, we’ll each break one of his legs.”
Mirabella’s ears perked up: That harsh??
“Haha, that’s the spirit!” Eugene grabbed a glass of wine to toast Phillip.
Phillip glanced at Mirabella reflexively and started to wave off the offer, “The doc told me not to drink; I’m not fully recovered yet.”
“Well, Bella told me the same, but this is only elderflower wine, 0.5%.” Eugene finished, looking at Mirabella, “Your Grandpa Phillip came all this way and even brought me a gift. Don’t you think it’s only polite to let him have a glass?”
Phillip also looked for Mirabella’s approval, “They’re toasting to me; would it be rude not to drink?”
“Go ahead.”
Hearing Mirabella’s consent, the two old men were over the moon. They clinked glasses and downed their drinks in haste, as if afraid Mirabella would change her mind.
“Wine approved by the doc is just exquisite.”
“You bet it is. It’s got a taste of happiness, hahaha.”
Other guests, seeing Phillip enjoy his drink, eagerly approached Mirabella, keen to get their moment.
“Mr. McMillian, I’m thrilled to see you tonight. Allow me to offer a toast.” Mabel stepped forward, draining her glass with poise and asked, “Might I have the honor of challenging you to a quick game of chess? Just a minute of your time.”A minute was such a fleeting window that if Phillip refused, he’d seem ungracious.
