Filed to story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
She had repeatedly urged Mirabella to leave the Melton family and had even convinced her own parents to consider adopting Mirabella.
But Mirabella had stayed for Grannie Grace’s sake, never taking up the offer.
Ophelia never imagined that the words she’d once said would be echoed back to her by Mirabella, word for word.
“Everything I have is yours too—feel free to take anything you fancy when you come over to my place!”
Ophelia said with a warm smile, her arm linked with her friend’s, “No matter when, no matter what happens, I’ll always be your rock-solid support. The whole Almond has your back! Of course, with your current mojo, you hardly need our little hill for support, haha. But just so you know, I’m always here for you!”
Mirabella’s eyes softened, “I feel the same about you.”
As they strolled and chatted, Ophelia suddenly remembered something and asked, “Oh, by the way, at what point did you learn that Sean started Drift Swifts?”
“After I came back to our country.”
Ophelia nodded in realization, “That explains why you guys weren’t at each other’s throats. It was all a misunderstanding because you didn’t know each other’s true identities. What a huge misunderstanding!”
Mirabella’s lips curled into a smile, “You seemed pretty shocked to find out Eagle works for Sean, huh?”
“Bella, you won’t believe it, that Eagle guy has been the thorn in my side, blocking my projects!”
Ophelia exclaimed, still reeling from the revelation. “How much must your Sean despise me, sending Eagle to hassle me time and again. Sean and I are incompatible, like oil and water—first it was the car race, now our projects…”
Ophelia couldn’t help but add, “If I’d known Sheen was Sean, your brother, I would’ve picked a day when he was out to come knocking!”
Continuing her analysis, she said, “No wonder at the last race, you mentioned he asked about me. I thought it was because I was trying to win over his track and make it public, and that caught hisattention. But it turns out, he’s the one holding up my projects.”
“Sean doesn’t hate you,” Mirabella suddenly revealed. “On the contrary, he has a certain fondness for you.”
“You mean fondness in what way?”
“Why else would he block your projects for no good reason?”
It was all to keep her in Belloria longer, so he could watch her from a distance, to keep up with her.
“I think he just can’t stand me! I called ‘Brother Sean’ one too many times earlier, and he seemed pretty annoyed.”
Mirabella laughed but didn’t spell it out.
Sean’s feelings were for Sean to express.
After a tour in the garden, Mirabella led Ophelia to her room.
“Wow, your room is like three times the size of mine.” Ophelia gasped as she stepped inside. “Your family really spoils you—every single decor piece looks exorbitantly priced.”
Not just the decor, even the simplest items like the tissue box and the bedside lamp were top-notch brands.
And that’s not to mention the bedding.
“Is this your walk-in closet?” Ophelia was speechless as she took in the sight.
Even as an Almond heiress, her home didn’t boast such an array of beautiful clothing and accessories.The closet was impressively large, with a variety of garments, shoes, and handbags all neatly organized.
Each item looked brand-new.
“You haven’t worn any of these, have you? They look so fresh.” Ophelia picked up a dress and felt the high-quality fabric.
“These look just like your designs? Oh, I remembered. A while back, didn’t you say your parents and then your fiancé each ordered a batch of a hundred items for you. They didn’t happen to place the order with QY, did they? So, how much did you make out of this.”
“Ms. Almond, stop teasing me.”
“Compared with you, I feel like a pauper! Honestly, I’ve never had so many clothes at once in my life!”
After the tour of the closet, Ophelia was full of wonder. “Now I finally get why Kelly said you made the right choice coming back to this family. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the tender loving care from your family. It’s not just about the emotional support, but in the material way, too. I’m feeling like chewing out the Meltons again.”
Mirabella couldn’t help but laugh. “Arguing with them is just a waste of time.”
“Absolutely, let’s not give them a second of ours. Let them flounder in the abyss. Have you heard that Yolanda has hit rock bottom.”
Hmph!
That’s what Yolanda deserved!
She was such a snob when she was the heiress of the Meltons, always picking on Bella.
Without Bella, the Meltons would be nobodies!
“But, what’s going on with your family? Do you need my help?” Ophelia couldn’t help but ask as she noticed the swarm of security guards patrolling the grounds. “Just say the word, and I’ll have people here in no time.”
Mirabella filled her in on Erik’s situation and then said, “We’re just waiting for the puppet master to walk right into the trap now.”
“I can’t believe there’s someone out there even worse than the Meltons, more vile and despicable. You should be careful these next few days.”
“Don’t worry, with all these people around, and besides, it’s not that easy to get to me.”
“That’s true. With your skills, there aren’t many who can stand up to you.”
They chatted the night away until the hands of the clock were nearing eleven, and Ophelia finally said goodbye, her voice full of reluctance.
“I’ll celebrate with you the day your true identity is revealed.””Definitely.”
As they walked downstairs, Louisa rose from the couch and said warmly, “Ophelia, leaving so soon?
It’s still early, why not stay a little longer?”
“No, Auntie, it’s quite late already.”
“Why don’t you stay here for the night, save you the trip back and forth. You’ll be attending Bella’s homecoming banquet in a few days, right? I’m fond of you. If you stayed, Bella would have company, and I could see you more often.”
“Thanks you, Auntie, but Bella’s leaving the country tomorrow, so I’d be alone anyway. I’ll come visit another time.”
“Bella, you’re going abroad?” Louisa looked at Mirabella in surprise.
“Yeah, I’m escorting Bella tomorrow. Don’t worry, she’s just delivering some outfits to a client. We’ll go and come back the same day, it won’t interfere with the upcoming plans.”
Sean knew the family wanted to surprise Bella.
“Then you be careful, and take good care of your sister.” Louisa was obviously worried about his injury, but it wasn’t the right moment to discuss it, so she decided to talk about it later.
Then she turned back to Ophelia, “Dear, when you visit, you don’t need to bring anything. It’s too formal. Boys, help Ophelia with her things to the car.”
The brothers immediately volunteered. One of them said, “Sean’s free, he can do it.”
Sean was thrilled at the proposal.
“Auntie, you’re too kind. It’s just a small gift from me.””Your consideration is appreciated, but we shouldn’t accept these gifts. You’re still young, how can I take these from a child.”
The two continued their polite argument, each insisting.
“Why don’t we split it? Take half, and return half.” Mirabella interjected.
The Collins family could accept half of Ophelia’s housewarming gifts and return her with some other items, and the friendly dispute would be solved.
“Brilliant idea!” Kenneth had someone to bring over a selection of high-end supplements and beauty products.
Ophelia was even more embarrassed, “Uncle, Auntie. you’re really too kind.”
“Don’t mention it, Ophelia, here is a little something for you.” Sean was already holding a gift bag, approaching her with a friendly smile.
Afraid that it would be rude to refuse again, Ophelia accepted his gift with a grateful nod.
“Make sure you visit us again soon, Ophelia. Aunt Louisa will be waiting eagerly, and the whole family welcomes you,” Louisa said, walking her out of the main building.
At the right moment, Hans caught his mother’s arm and said, “We’ll let you go there. Take care, Ophelia.”
“Hans, you’re too polite. Stay, Bella.” Ophelia was somewhat reluctant to let Mirabella go, the key point being, she didn’t want Sean to take her there.
“I’ve got something to handle suddenly; Sean will walk you out. Take care.”
“Alright, no problem. Take care and try to get some rest after,” Ophelia responded before turning to leave.
Walking beside Ophelia with a pile of gifts, Sean could feel the seconds dragging by, and Ophelia seemed to quicken her pace.
She hadn’t paid attention during her arrival, but now the path to the front gate seemed endlessly far.
“So, you and Bella go way back?” Sean suddenly asked.”Yeah, we’ve known each other for many years.”
“Bella had it rough before, didn’t she?”
The question bridged a gap between them, and Ophelia found herself opening up.
“Back in the day, the Meltons, her foster parents, used to neglect her and treated her badly. And after they found Yolanda, Bella became practically invisible.”
