Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“We’re a bit late,” Romeo said, his arm around Mirabella’s shoulder, “We’ll come earlier next time.”
“Uh–huh.” Mirabella looked at the view, “Actually, this is beautiful too.”
She never had the time to appreciate nature, just standing here and watching now was enough.
Romeo saw the sun shining on her fair face, he hummed in agreement, “Indeed, it’s beautiful.” So beautiful that he couldn’t resist giving her a peck.
The restaurant manager almost dropped his jaw when he saw them kissing in the sunlight. What the heck was happening?!
Last time they only held hands, now they were locking lips?
Weren’t things moving a tad too fast?!
After the kiss, Romeo looked into her eyes and said tenderly, “In the future, you can share anything with me, whether it’s happy or sad. I’m willing to listen.”
Mirabella lifted her head and gazed at his sincere expression.
“You don’t have to bear everything on your own, you know?” Romeo continued.
Mirabella seemed to have never opened up to anyone, whether it was good or bad, even with Kelly Piper, it was just a few simple words. But now, seeing Romeo’s caring gaze, she nodded, “Okay” She would do her best to share her feelings.
Romeo gently caressed her face, smiling indulgently, “Let’s go, we’ll have breakfast.”
After breakfast, Mirabella arrived at the company, and amidst a pile of reports, she discovered new clues. Her slender fingers lightly tapped the desk as she pondered how many hidden secrets Oscar still had that she had yet to uncover.
“Ms. Bennett, Designer Molly wants to meet you!” Dean’s voice echoed from outside the door.
“Come in”
When Molly entered, traces of tears were still evident in her eyes.
“Ms. Bennett, good morning. These are my recent autumn designs.”
Molly respectfully handed over the design drafts to Mirabella, a smile on her face.
But it was not hard to see that her smile was forced and even held a hint of sadness.
“Mr. Samual wanted me to show you the drafts. He said you’re the real design master.”
Mirabella looked at Molly’s swollen eyes, “Have you been crying?”
Molly shook her head, but couldn’t help but start sobbing lightly again.
“Sit down, take a moment to calm down.”
Mirabella didn’t pressure her, instead, she handed her a tissue, allowing her to let out her feelings.
Molly’s tears fell drop by drop. She tried to control herself several times, but her emotions got the better of her.
Dean outside the door had no clue what had happened, he shrugged in confusion.
He texted Mirabella: [I have no idea what’s up with Designer Molly. Should I ask?]
Mirabella replied calmly: “No need.”
When Molly had cried herself out, Mirabella poured her a glass of water and placed it in front of her, “Drink some water first.”
“Ms. Bennett.” Molly didn’t expect Mirabella to pour her water personally. A stranger treated her so kindly, thinking of her own family/her emotions started to flare up again. Mirabella watched her sob and asked calmly, “Is it about work?”
Molly shook her head.
“Family issues?”
Molly nodded.
Mirabella got the hint. Only family could hurt someone this deep.–
At this, Molly started crying again. She really didn’t want to bring personal stuff into work, but every time she thought about it, she felt so angry and wronged!
“I haven’t told my mom about this yet,” Molly choked on her words, tears falling like rain.
Mirabella waited until she stopped crying before asking/“Did your family do it?”
“Yes!” Molly recalled her heartless family members, and tears streamed down her face. “In fact, my family also owns a clothing company,” Molly wiped her tears and continued, “This company was founded by my grandfather, and my father took over after his passing. But a few years ago, my father suddenly passed away in a car accident.”
Molly choked up a bit, then continued, “My uncle said my mom and I didn’t know how to run a company, so he took over, doing everything he could to strip us of our assets, and finally kicked us out of the house.” Molly sobbed, “My mom used to have a few houses in her name, but now they’re all gone.”
“Didn’t anyone else step in to help?” Mirabella asked softly.
“Grandpa used to run things at home, but after he passed away, my grandma died shortly after too. The company used to be managed by my dad, but then he left, and everyone started listening to my uncle’s advice.”
No one stood up to defend them.
Some older relatives advised them to back off, saying life under the Coopers‘ protection would be easy. But if they fought against the Coopers, things would surely end badly!
“But I just wouldn’t back down. They’re way out of line.”
Her uncle bullying them was bad enough, but then even her cousins started bullying them, bothering them even after they moved to a rental place. It was as if messing with them was some sort of fun game.
“The person dumping trash on the grave today was definitely one of my cousins!”
Molly said angrily, “It was the same last year. She took a couple of bodyguards and kicked out all my dad’s offerings, dumped trash on the grave, and said a lot of disrespectful words. My mom argued with her, and ended up getting hurt by her bodyguards. It was just horrible.”
Molly paused, as if remembering something, “This happened around this time last year, too, Ms. Bennett, can I make a call?”
Mirabella, guessing what was coming, looked up, “Of course.”
Molly quickly took out her phone, dialed her mom’s number, but no one picked up. She was very nervous, with a bad premonition.
Just then, Dean knocked on the door, “Ms. Bennett, there’s a lingerie company that’s doing really well recently. They want us to help with production as their current line can’t meet the demand. Plus, the price they’re offering is pretty attractive. Their manager wants to meet you at River Bank Cafe in an hour, is that okay?”
Molly tried calling again twice, still no answer. She was getting more anxious, “Ms. Bennett, can I take a leave? I want to go see Lantern Mountain.”
Her dad’s grave was at the top of Lantern Mountain,
River Bank Cafe was actually only a ten–minute drive from there.
That works out.” Mirabella glanced at Dean, “Go get the car ready.”
She’d been picked up by Romeo recently and didn’t have her own car, but the company had two spare vehicles.
After they left, someone picked up the design draft on the desk.
On the way, Molly kept dialing her mom’s number, but no one picked up. She was getting more and more anxious.
Finally, they made it to the top of Lantern Mountain. From a distance, Molly saw a group of people surrounding her mother, Iris. And off to the side, soaking it all in, was her cousin Myra
The girl who was talking was around 17 or 18, wearing an expensive little dress and decked out in accessories that screamed ‘money‘. Her soft, wavy hair was cascading down her back.
“Myra‘ Are you even speaking human right now? Do you remember how good your uncle treated your family when he was alive? Do you not have a shred of gratitude in you? Are you not scared your uncle would be pissed at you in the afterlife?”
Ins was fuming, but she was outnumbered. She knew better than anyone else that she was at a disadvantage.
“Auntie Iris, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. Uncle was grandad’s favorite when he was alive, and back then your family was all over us, but things have changed.”
Myra said, and then gave her bodyguard a lazy, arrogant glance. “Joey, what the hell are you daydreaming about? Go take care of my aunt. It might give my uncle some peace, knowing his wife is being looked after. I’m sure he’d appreciate it from the other side.”
Joey, the bodyguard, was short and stocky, probably in his forties. His eyes were full of greed.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.