Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“If I hadn’t asked, he wouldn’t have said a word. Do you realize how dangerous those underground races are? They’re not official tracks, and there are no fair referees; it’s all down to personal honor. And some people have got no conscience. What if you run into someone like that and get hurt?”
“I’ll be fine,” Mirabella assured him. “For them, it’s just a hobby, but for me, it’s different.”
“How so?” Romeo pressed on, gazing into her eyes.
“I started racing to protect myself.”
If it weren’t for the need to escape her pursuers, she wouldn’t have developed such driving skills, let alone stepped in to race for Ophelia.
Hearing this, Romeo was filled with compassion. He couldn’t help but kiss her soft lips, and with a sad touch to her face, he murmured, “I wish I had been there sooner.”
If he had been there, he could have shielded her and kept all harm at bay for her.
He couldn’t stand the thought of all the hardship she had endured in that unforgiving world.
“If it was too dangerous, Ophelia wouldn’t let me race. She’s my best friend,” Mirabella comforted him in turn. “If her leg hadn’t been injured and in need of rest, I would’ve loved for you to meet her, though you’ve seen her on video before.”
But meeting each other’s friends face-to-face, like what they did today, was a different experience.
Visiting Ophelia wasn’t practical for them, as she lived alone and was barely able to walk. They knew pretty well that if they went to her house, she would insist on playing the hostess, which wouldn’t be good for her recovery.”We’ll have a chance in the future,” Romeo said softly while caressing her cheek; at that time her phone rang.
It was Horace.
“Go ahead, I’ll get you something to eat.”
He had brought her favorite snacks to Belloria and packed them in his suitcase.
In order to give her privacy and trust, Romeo didn’t linger to overhear their conversation. Instead, he walked away to fetch the treats.
Watching his tall figure move aside, Mirabella felt her heart warmed even more. She took out her phone and glided over the screen with her fingers.
“Boss, this Sean guy looks sharp, but why is his signature so messy? Can’t even make out his name.”
Horace’s voice came through from the other end.
When Mirabella left the hospital, she handed the island sale agreement Sean had signed straight to Horace without even glancing at it.
The name of the other party meant nothing to her.
“What’s up?” Mirabella cut to the chase.
“I’ve sent some guys to the island to clear out the weeds and stuff, but there are some plants my crew can’t identify. I can’t tell if they’re weeds or herbs either. I’ve taken pictures and sent them to your email.”
“I’ll check it out in a bit.”
“Also, we’ve calculated the area planted with herbs and that yet to be planted, and also figured out the sunlight exposure, soil composition, air humidity, and overall weather patterns. I’ve made spreadsheets of all these data and sent them to you.”
Mirabella was surprised by his efficiency. “Good work,” she said with a tinge of appreciation.
“It’s no trouble at all. Working with you these past days has been invigorating—I’m doing what I love.
Plus, I’ve been in touch with Jack. He said he’s just waiting for your go-ahead, and he’ll personally transport the herbs we need to plant here.”
“I’ll give him a timeline soon.”
“There’s something else.” Horace continued with another update. “Just as what you predicted, the surveillance cameras near the auction house on the night of Sam’s death were tampered with to different degrees. They need your touch to be restored. I’ve sent the files to your email.”
“Alright, I’ll handle it now.”After ending the call, Mirabella pulled out her laptop and told Romeo, “I’ve got some work to do; you take a break.”
Romeo placed an assortment of snacks in front of her, watching her slender fingers flying over the keyboard, typing a rapid succession of characters.
“Restoring surveillance? Let me do it.” Romeo offered, “Have a bite and rest.”
Mirabella recalled the last time they teamed up to crack Carol’s computer firewall. Romeo’s hacking skills were beyond question.
She handed him the laptop without hesitation.
Romeo took the laptop, settled on the couch to retrieve the data, while massaging her feet rested on his lap occasionally. His gaze was locked on the screen as his fingers danced on the keyboard.
Mirabella lounged on the couch, with her legs casually draped over his, and nibbled snacks from the bag, while passing him a piece from time to time.
With this, Romeo’s motivation soared. In no time, he had the surveillance restored and awaited her praise.
“Quick work.”
“With my fiancée watching, I’ve got to show off a bit.”
Romeo enjoyed the snack she handed him, with a look of contentment on his face.
Mirabella forwarded the surveillance to Horace, who nearly dropped his face mask in shock.
“Boss, you’re way too fast. I was just doing a face mask, and I’m not even done yet.””What’s a big guy like you doing with a face mask??” Mirabella teased in her message.
“Men need skincare too. Hold on, I’ll call you back.”
Horace continued his skincare routine while digging into the mystery of the black car and the person who shot Sam.
Mirabella knew that the results would come soon, so she discussed with Romeo, “I might need to step out tonight or tomorrow for some business. I’ll have people with me; it’s not dangerous. You wait for me at the hotel.”
“Can I trust your people?”
“They’re loyal.”
“Then call me if you need help.”
In Belloria, he had a network of influence hidden in the shadows, known to almost no one.
When necessary, they could quietly work for her and give her the extra push she needs.
After a while, Horace rang up, “Hey Hans, I got some intel. The guy who popped Sam was called Viper.
He’s a regular at the Gentleman’s Club, who usually shows up on Wednesday or Friday nights.
Sometimes he carries a bag with him, which was puffed up before he goes in, but deflated when he leaves. Looks like he’s making some shady deals.”
“Can you dig up a list of the usual suspects at the club when Viper is in attendance?”
“Sure thing.” After Horace gave his report, he added, “Look, Boss, Viper skipped his club visit last week and didn’t show up this past Wednesday. It’s Friday tonight. Maybe we hit the jackpot if we swing by?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Alright, I’ll swing by to pick you up at 7.”
After hanging up, Mirabella told Romeo she had to step out for the night and suggested he hang out with some buddies.
“I’ll just wait for you at the hotel.”
He had just met with friends earlier that day and felt not in the mood for more socializing. He preferred to wait for her at the hotel, ready to lend a hand if needed.
As the clock neared seven, Romeo wanted to ask her about her plans, about how many of her crew would be with her, and whether they were up against a big group, but he feared prying too much would upset her.
Seeing that he tried to speak several times but stopped, while frequently checking the time, clearly reluctant to see her go, Mirabella couldn’t help but smile at his concern.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a little apprehension.”With her skills, she wasn’t the one who should be worried.
“When do you think you’ll be back? I’ll order some late-night snacks for us.” Romeo reached out to touch her face. Even knowing her capabilities, he couldn’t help but worry about her every time she stepped out on a job.
“If I’m not back by midnight, go ahead and get some sleep.”
“Is the target that tough to catch?”
“Not tough, just there are a lot of unknowns, like it’s not clear if that guy will show up tonight, and whether he’ll meet with his cronies. If he’s planning to hit a spot, we might get a lead on their hideout, maybe even the big fish behind it all. If that happens, I might not be back so soon.”
Romeo’s eyes dimmed at the thought, as the danger she might face weighed on him.
Right then, a rapid knock on the door broke the tension.
“I’ll get it,” Romeo volunteered, “Go get changed.”
She always switched into casual wear for her outings, tying her long hair up into a bun.
As the door swung open, the person outside blurted out, “Boss.”
Seemingly caught off guard by Romeo answering the door, Horace paused, with his eyes widening, as he saw Romeo in his white robe and figured he probably lived here Horace’s eyes bulged as he peered around, but he didn’t spot his boss.
What was going on here?
Had they just been?”Come in,” Romeo said, making a commanding presence despite his politeness; Horace hesitated and was clearly intimidated.
They had been introduced over video before, but seeing Romeo in person was something else.
Romeo had quite the aura.