Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“Focus on healing up first. Your body’s still recovering. I’ll talk with my parents.” Martin reassured her, then opened the first aid kit and began to tend to a cut on her ear, “Did they hit you here?”
Serena quickly replied to cover it up, “I don’t know how it happened.”
He knew she was protecting them, “This wasn’t here when I left for work. It only showed up after their visit. You think I can’t put two and two together?”
“Martin, don’t be upset with them. It doesn’t hurt, really!” But as she spoke, she winced and hastily added, “Compared to everything the Collins family put me through, they have been saints.”His mind flashed back to the day he had rescued her from the Collins family’s basement, battered and barely clinging to life and his heart clenched with renewed tenderness.
At that moment, Dora knocked and said softly, “Sir, there’s a police officer at the door for you.”
Martin paused mid-application of the antiseptic, and then resumed, “Got it. You may go.”
“Martin, what’s going on?” Serena’s voice was laced with worry, “Why are the police here?”
“Just a small matter. Stay still; I need to finish dressing this wound.”
“Have you gotten into trouble?” Serena was unaware of the latest trending news, oblivious to their relationship being outed, to the deaths of Martin’s men being pinned on him, and to the rumors that he had sabotaged the Collins’ prize car for her sake.
She was anxious that Martin was facing serious trouble, that her lifeline might be cut down after so many efforts she made to cling to him.
Had she just endured all that pain for nothing?
“Don’t fret. It’s a minor issue, really. Just a formality the police have to go through because of public voice.” Martin’s tone was light, “Are you worried about me?”
“You’re my boyfriend. Who else would I worry about?” She thought to herself, wondering if she had missed some explosive news that afternoon.
Martin wouldn’t have done something that would land him behind bars, would he? Surely not, she mused. The Cooper family was too influential for him to end up suffering for a crime.
“Alright, take a breather. I’ll go check it out,” Martin patted her head without any idea of what was going through her mind, as he headed downstairs first.
Serena quickly unlocked her phone and opened one of the apps that gave her access to live surveillance across the sprawling estate.
After a frantic search, she spotted a few police officers standing outside the main gate, with a patrol car parked nearby.
Not too far from the patrol car, a gaggle of reporters was gathered, each of them eager for a scoop.
When Martin emerged, camera flashes went off incessantly. Out of respect for the police investigation, the crowd kept their distance, bombarding him with questions.
Martin brushed them off and calmly approached the group at the gate, “What seems to be the problem?”
“Mr. Cooper, you’re implicated in two homicides. We need you to come with us for questioning.” The officer in front said, before lowering his voice, “I’m sorry to do this, Mr. Cooper, but the situation has escalated. There’s no choice for us. We would appreciate your cooperation.”
“Sure,” Martin stepped into their vehicle without resistance.
As the car drove away in full view of everyone, Serena’s heart sank. It was all over. What on earth happened?
She quickly scrolled through the trending topics on her phone, and there it was: #Martin Detained# at the top of the news feed.She now understood that apparently, the blame for the sabotage of a prestigious car had been pinned on Martin.
It definitely was not Martin’s doing; she knew Martin wasn’t capable of such pettiness. He would never stoop to that level! Who would do such a thing to him?
The Cooper family wouldn’t just stand by, would they?
Aside from running his own company, Martin was also the favored successor of Giles, whose fortune was far more substantial than that of Ansel.
And with Ansel having only one son, he certainly wouldn’t let anything happen to him. The vast empire of the Cooper Group would eventually be handed down to his son.
With that thought, Serena felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Meanwhile, in a private dining room at a restaurant, Cathy handed the iPad menu to Mirabella with both hands, beaming, “I finally get to fulfill my wish of treating you to a meal. What would you like to eat? I’m open to anything!”
Mirabella smiled faintly, “Any dietary restrictions I should know about?”
“Not at all!” Cathy poured her a cup of tea, chuckling, “Everything here is delicious. I used to come a lot with my classmates, especially for this tea – it’s really aromatic. Have a sip, Mirabella, it’s just the right temperature.”
Mirabella took a sip, finding the taste rich and pleasant, “You’ve chosen a nice place.”
Cathy was thrilled to receive praise from Bella, “There are a few other spots I know of, next time, I’ll take you there!”If only Romeo wouldn’t monopolize Mirabella, she could show her so many more great places!
“Mirabella, I really can’t thank you enough for what you did last time. If it wasn’t for you stepping in, I would have been writing family rules until my hand fell off.” Cathy couldn’t help but add, “Romeo can be so strict with punishments. You’re so amazing, able to handle him with ease.”
“Trust me, he didn’t want to penalize you guys in the first place.”
“Yeah, right! I’ve been punished more times than I’ve had hot dinners over the years!”
Mirabella chuckled softly, passing the iPad across the table, “Do these choices look good to you?
Should we add more?”
“C’mon, Mirabella, don’t you go playing the penny-pincher with me. You’ve barely scratched the surface of this menu, and it’s not like I can’t afford a decent meal!” Cathy quickly pushed the iPad back, “Order away, please don’t hold back!”
“We can’t overdo it though; hate to see good food go to waste,” Mirabella replied with a gentle smile.
“It won’t happen! But don’t underestimate the depth of my pockets. Today is all about having a blast!”
Their private dining room door was ajar, and just then, a passerby caught a glimpse of Cathy and called out in surprise and delight, “Cathy?”
“Tabitha??” Cathy, spotting her and the younger girl beside her, greeted them with joy, “Theresa, are you two out for a meal today? Just the two of you?”
“Yeah, it’s Theresa’s birthday today. Mom and Dad are tied up, couldn’t celebrate with her, so it’s up to me, her big sis, to make her day special,” Tabitha was a good friend of Cathy’s, and Theresa was her younger sister.
“Hey there, Cathy.” Theresa greeted politely, the picture of youthful charm.
“Happy birthday, Theresa! I hope all your wishes come true,” Cathy said, ruffling her hair with a beaming smile.”Thanks, Cathy.”
“Who are you dining with?” Tabitha peered curiously into Cathy’s room and saw none other than Mirabella, the talk of the town and Cathy’s cousin-in-law!
“Let me introduce you – this is my cousin-in-law Mirabella. Mirabella, this is my good friend Tabitha,”
Cathy introduced with enthusiasm.
“Pleased to meet you,” Mirabella greeted with a smile that could light up the darkest room, her grace and beauty almost ethereal.
Tabitha was taken aback – Mirabella was even more stunning in person than she had been on the internet!
“Nice to meet you,” Tabitha was still recovering from the shock. This girl was beyond gorgeous!
“Mirabella, it’s Theresa’s birthday today. I’m going to sing her a birthday song to celebrate. You’ll join us in a bit, won’t you?” Cathy said cheerfully.
“Of course,” Mirabella smiled again, her demeanor warm enough to melt snow in winder, as refreshing as a summer breeze, captivating and soothing all at once.
As they left the room, Tabitha couldn’t help but whisper to Cathy, “Arabell is breathtaking! No wonder Romeo, who’s as cold as they come, fell for her. I mean, casting aside her skills, with looks like that, I’d do anything for her! If I hadn’t seen her with my own eyes today, I’d never believe someone so beautiful could exist. Suddenly, I feel like I’m just here to make up the numbers!”
“I think she’s stunning too. Everything feels better with her around.” Cathy grinned, squeezing her best friend’s hand, “Mirabella has so many great qualities; I could go on for days. But you’re gorgeous in your own right! Look at that smile and those dimples – totally sweet.”Laughing, Tabitha continued their chat as they walked away, “Speaking of which, how come your cousin isn’t around today?”
“I called his assistant earlier, asked him to keep Romeo occupied for the day. I’ve tried to take Mirabella out a few times, but he always gets in the way!”
Tabitha laughed, “That just shows how much he adores her.”
“But I adore her too! I want to spend more time with her as well.”
Back in the room, Mirabella was finalizing the menu on the iPad when she heard her name called.
“Mirabella???”
Mirabella looked up, and before her stood a woman who exuded confidence and sophistication -one from some wealthy family.
She was dressed in a chic suit in limited edition and sporting a stylish beret; the pearl necklace around her neck only accentuated her grace and allure.
No sooner had she arrived than she sat opposite Mirabella, a smile of pride and superiority playing at her lips, “Let’s talk.”
Mirabella’s mind drew a blank; she had no recollection of such a character.
The woman introduced herself, “My name is Harriet Monroe. I’m Romeo’s childhood sweetheart.”
Mirabella then remembered. Romeo had mentioned long ago that during the Earwood family’s power struggle, Harriet, as the darling of the family, was said to have gone missing – a ruse to protect her from danger, while in reality, she had been sent to the safety of the McMillian family.
It just so happened that George and Jennifer were busy abroad at the time and couldn’t stay home to look after her. Thus, for a brief period, it was only she and Romeo in the house. Her family’s issues were quickly resolved, and she was taken back home soon after.
But during the tumult at her family’s estate, Romeo was the one who gave her a sense of security. And with his good looks, it was no wonder Harriet fell for him.
Although Romeo had rejected her affections more than once, Harriet frequently messaged him.
Considering she was a friend’s sister and the Earwood family were allies of the McMillian family, Romeo hadn’t blocked her, though he never responded.
“I didn’t expect to bump into you here, so let’s cut to the chase.” Harriet pulled a check from her bag and slid it across the table to Mirabella, “I want you to leave Romeo. Fill in any amount; the Earwoodfamily can afford it.”
“Ms. Monroe, are you trying to buy off the affection between Romeo and me with money?” Mirabella’s lips curled into a captivating smile.
Harriet hadn’t expected her to be so striking when smiling; her beauty surpassed even what the media had portrayed, no wonder Romeo was spellbound.
“I grew up with Romeo; no one knows him better than I do. I’m aware of all his likes and dislikes.”
“If you’re so clued in, then you should know he can’t stand you. Who gave you the gall to sit here and speak to my cousin-in-law like this? This is the private room I reserved; did I invite you?”
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.