Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“We’ll get to the bottom of this soon,” Romeo hinted, then moved in closer unexpectedly.
Mirabella mistook it for an attempt at a kiss and focused on her work instead, pulling back slightly.
“Knock it off.”
“Why do you smell like blood? And why are you wearing Horace’s jacket?” Romeo asked, sniffing closer. Indeed, there was a scent of blood.
“It’s chilly out, so I’ve borrowed his jacket,” Mirabella maintained her composure as she concluded her task and stood up. “All done. Get some rest. I’m going to contact my people to arrange our trip back.”
“You’re injured?” Romeo instantly stepped in front of her. “Let me have a look.”
“I’m fine.”
“I noticed when you were applying the medicine. Your left hand isn’t as dexterous as the right one. Is your left injured?” Romeo’s tone was filled with worries.Mirabella tried to downplay it, but Romeo wouldn’t have it and insisted on seeing for himself.
Finally, he slipped off her jacket and discovered her left arm was also wrapped in a makeshift bandage, even more slipshod than his.
Her clothes were drenched in blood that had clearly been seeping for some time.
“So you are injured.”
Her wound was more serious than his.
“Looks like we’re even,” Mirabella remarked earnestly. “You kept secrets, I kept secrets.”
“Even? Nonsense, girl. I’m not here to score points. What were you up to tonight? You weren’t the one hunting those guys, were you?”
He recalled a phone call with Derrick, where he’d heard that his girl had gotten the upper hand and was tailgating the assailants’ car.
“How could you have hurt yourself so badly?” Romeo’s gaze was filled with concern as he said, “Sit down. I’ll fetch the first aid kit.”
“No need for that.” Mirabella dismissed his offer, struggling with the knot one-handed.
“Hold still, let me do that.” Romeo, afraid that she might worsen the injury.
If he had known she would get hurt, he would never have left her side to protect her to ensure her safety.
He carefully peeled off the blood-soaked bandage, neatly trimmed the fabric around her wound, cleanly applied medicine, and then bandaged it anew.
“With everything that’s happening abroad, and the holidays around the corner, what if we head back?”
Romeo suggested with his heart distressed. “I’ve got people looking into those hitmen from tonight; we should have answers soon. You’ve wrapped up all your affairs here in Belloria, right?”
“Yeah, I’ve taken care of everything.”
“Then we are ready to leave?”
“Absolutely.”
Mirabella had been thinking the same thing. She saw the clock striking three in the morning, which meant it was already ten in the morning back home.
“Can I use your phone?”
Her mobile was gone, a casualty of Martha’s actions and the ensuing explosion.
Hearing that she didn’t even have a phone, Romeo’s heart hurt, and he quickly offered his phone.Mirabella gained access with her face ID.
“Do you have my parents on WhatsApp?” Mirabella asked.
“Yes,” Romeo replied, “It’s in my contacts.”
Mirabella noticed that he had saved Kenneth and Louisa as “In-laws.”
“In-laws?” She looked at him with amusement.
In-laws?
He was already that close to them?
“Well, they are my in-laws.” He responded with pride. His private messages with them were also affectionately signed with a familial “son-in-law”.
Mirabella slid out a tiny chip from hair bend, and slotted it into the phone’s port. She sent the surveillance footage to her parents along with a series of voice messages with instructions. After that, she used Romeo’s phone to call Jack and instructed him to make sure everyone at Reflections Villa was well-protected.
Having settled these affairs, Romeo got in touch with his people, ordering them to have their private jet ready on a nearby airfield as quickly as possible.
On the flight, Mirabella briefed Romeo on Martha’s true identity and her accidental fall.
“So she was the mastermind behind those past troubles?” Romeo was surprised, “I have underestimated her.”
He hadn’t expected that the incident at Dawnstar restaurant, the falling billboard incident, the smear campaign against Ar-Bl-Clear Group’s skincare line, and the lip-syncing allegations against Mirabellawere all Martha’s work!
Elsewhere.
A private jet from Dawnstar was making its descent to the landing pad at Reflections Villa.
Kenneth and Louisa had been eagerly awaiting this moment, standing by in anticipation.
Eunice and Bard were expected to join them for the holiday celebrations, and they had arrived early to greet their guests.
As the aircraft’s door slowly opened, Eunice, looking chic and more tasteful than ever, descended the stairs arm in arm with Bard. It had been a while since they last saw each other, and her fashionable attire made her look even more stunning. Her walk was full of grace, and the blend of icy elegance and commanding presence was indescribably captivating.
On the other side, Bard was the pinnacle of suave charm.
Upon seeing them, Louisa couldn’t help but wave energetically. “Bro, sis-in-law, you finally made it!”
She instantly became the joyful little sister in their midst, her joy bubbling over.
“Louisa’s been here early, waiting for you guys,” Kenneth said with a warm smile as he approached and hugged Bard, then gave a nod towards Eunice with an expression of relief and happiness. “Seeing you standing here, safe and sound, it hits me right in the feels. Mom would be so pleased.”
Previously, after Eunice’s fall from the cliff, everyone had thought she was gone for good.
Even Bard had been despondent for some time.
Now, with the couple before there, healthy and together, Louisa hugged Eunice tightly. “The important thing is you’re back, you’re back.”
Eunice responded with a beaming smile that only enhanced her elegance.
“How have you been lately?” Eunice asked, her eyes tender as she looked at Louisa.
“Everything’s been pretty good, but let’s not freeze out there. Let’s go inside and talk.” Louisa linked arms with Eunice and they headed towards the main house, shivering slightly as the cold wind nipped at her neck. “It’s really chilly today. Oh, by the way, where are mom and dad?”
Mentioning Darren and Belinda, Eunice’s smile paused for a split second before brightening again.
“They were a bit shaken up before leaving the house. Bard and I came ahead; we have something to announce in a little while.”
At the mention of an announcement, Louisa’s curiosity was piqued. “Is it about Bella?””Yes,” Eunice nodded, her smile charming.
Louisa thought it was about revealing Mirabella’s identity and said, “I’ve already called and invited friends and family. They’ll all be here for the New Year, but they don’t know about Bella yet. I was thinking of making the announcement then. Do you think we should invite the press?”
She wanted the world to know Mirabella was her biological daughter but was concerned that too much spotlight could disturb her normal life.
After all, with Mirabella’s varied identities, having reporters constantly around the house would surely expose her comings and goings.
“Let’s discuss that after the announcement. Just prepare yourself for what I’m about to reveal.” Eunice said teasingly.
Louisa was puzzled, not quite grasping her sister-in-law’s meaning. “What announcement?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Eunice said no more, and led the way, with Kenneth and Bard following.
Noticing only his sister, brother-in-law, and a handful of servants there to greet them, Bard asked, “Where’s Bella? Why haven’t I seen her yet?”
“Bella’s off handling some business in Belloria; she hasn’t returned yet.” Kenneth replied cheerfully.
“This year, it looks like our whole family will finally get to enjoy a healthy and lively New Year, and with Bella here, life couldn’t be better.”
In the past, with Darren and Belinda’s health issues, opportunities for them to gather like this were few and far between, not to mention having everyone together for New Year.”Why didn’t mom and dad come?” Kenneth noticed their absence too and echoed the question.
Weren’t they all supposed to celebrate this New Year together?
“They’ll catch a flight later; should be here by tomorrow,” Bard said with a smile, then turned to his brother-in-law with concern. “How have you been?”
“Can’t be better.” The two men exchanged a casual conversation.
Walking hand-in-hand into the living room with Eunice, Louisa was greeted by Edith and the servants, who welcomed them warmly.
As the servants served up dishes of pastries, fruit, and hot tea, Eunice couldn’t help but say, “Please, everyone, don’t be so busy treating us.”
“Having you is such a rare treat, that Louisa wishes she could roll out the red carpet with all the best the house has to offer,” Kenneth chuckled, then offered Eunice and Bard their cups of coffee.
“Thanks a lot,” Eunice said, taking the mug with a warm smile.