Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Just thinking about the indignities his parents suffered before their deaths filled him with an uncontrollable urge to flay Serena alive, to exact every ounce of pain she owed.
Mirabella spoke with an eerie calm, “Killing her won’t bring your parents back to life. If they were still around, they’d want you to keep living, and to live well.”
Stinger’s eyes reddened further, and despite his best efforts, tears breached his defenses and cascaded down his cheeks.
After he had his moment to grieve, Mirabella prodded, “Was the operation Erik ran doing the dirty work for Lucas and Beverly?”
Stinger was taken aback and asked, “How did you figure that out?”
“There’s no deep-seated vendetta between Serena and the Collins couple. No motive to hit their company unless Erik’s death was linked to them. Serena is notorious for holding a grudge; if she knew they were behind her biological father’s death, she’d seek revenge.”
“And how did you guess I was with the Lott family, working for them?”
“I did my homework on you. It started when I found out Yolanda had neither the cash nor the connections to hire someone to kill me. Digging deeper, I stumbled upon your ties to Erik.”
“So, you figured it out.””Over the years, following Erik’s orders, did you indirectly handle a lot of dirty work for Lucas and Beverly?”
“Not a lot,” Stinger replied, his gaze growing distant. “I saw Erik as a father. Whatever he asked of me, I did without question, never thought to keep evidence for my own protection.”
After every job, Stinger would destroy any evidence, fearing it might come back to haunt him.
Looking into his eyes, Mirabella asked, “What exactly did you do for them?”
Stinger hesitated, then, gazing at the girl before him, chose silence over confession.
“Don’t worry. If you’ve hurt my family, I’m willing to let bygones be bygones. After all, every debt has its debtor, and if Lucas and Beverly are truly to blame, they’ll answer to me.”
Stinger was both surprised and skeptical, but ultimately, he laid all his cards on the table.
“Erik and Martha were Lucas and Beverly’ spies in your household, reporting every move back to them.
And it wasn’t just them – there were others in the company on their payroll. The ‘accidents’ that befell your parents and the instability within the company were all their doing.” Stinger spilled everything he knew.
Mirabella couldn’t believe her so-called aunt and uncle had been up to such filth behind the scenes.”There is something I’d like your help with.” In the hospital.
A young nurse hurried to find Martin Cooper.
“Mr. Cooper, Ms. Cooper has had a sudden onset of septicemia early this morning. It’s not looking good.”
As Martin heard the news, panic surged through him like a wildfire. “What are we waiting for? Why isn’t she being treated yet? It’s almost noon!”
“The doctors are doing everything they can,” the nurse explained, her voice steady despite the urgency. “But the patient’s chest cavity has multiple bleeding sites. The severity of her trauma has led to deep vein thrombosis in her legs. If a clot breaks free, she could suffer a heart attack or a stroke, any of which could undo all the progress we’ve made.”
“What now?” Martin’s voice faltered as he grappled with the situation.
“There’s only one option left.” The nurse hesitated before uttering the name, “Dr. Bella.”
A heavy silence fell over Martin. He knew Mirabella wouldn’t operate on his family. Desperation laced his voice as he asked, “Isn’t there anyone else?”
“Mrs. Cooper’s condition is critical. Apart from Dr. Bella, I can’t think of anyone else with the expertise needed.” The nurse sighed helplessly. “You could try to hire a renowned specialist from nearby, but I doubt they’d match Dr. Bella’s skill.”
Everyone was aware of Mirabella’s miraculous touch.
Martin stood, lost in thought, when another servant rushed in, “Sir, it’s your mother. Her condition has worsened; she’s been taken to the emergency room.”
Without hesitation, Martin bolted toward the emergency room. The doors were shut tight, the red light above them glowing ominously.
He grabbed the first nurse he saw. “How’s my mother?”
“Florence has developed severe complications. I’m afraid she might not last two hours.””What do you mean?” The news hit Martin like a sledgehammer. After a few stunned seconds, he blurted out, “She can’t die. You have to save her!”
“The doctors inside will do their best, but the outlook isn’t good. Mr. Cooper, you should prepare for the worst.”
“And what? Just stand here and watch my mother die?” Martin was frantic now. “There has to be another way!”
“Maybe Dr. Bella can do something.”
At the mention of “Dr. Bella” again, Martin’s frustration erupted. “Dr. Bella, Dr. Bella! Is she the only one in this whole hospital who can do anything? With such a big institution, don’t you have any capable doctor? Do we always have to call in outsiders?”
The nurse, visibly shaken, replied, “Dr. Bella is a once-in-a-century talent. We don’t know for sure if she can help, but if anyone can tackle this challenge, it’s her… It’s not that we want to push you to her, but she might be the only person who could save your family.”
He didn’t use his own phone because Mirabella had blocked him long ago.”It’s me, Martin. Don’t hang up.” He was apologetic and desperate. “Mirabella, I’m out of options. Only you can help me now. My mother and sister are in surgery. One attempted suicide, the other was in a car accident. Both are fighting for their lives. Can you save them? Please.”
To his disbelief, Mirabella didn’t refuse. Instead, she asked calmly, “When?”
“The nurse said my mother won’t last two hours. Can you make it here in two hours?” Martin pleaded earnestly.
“Serena’s phone, for two lives. Think it over and let me know,” Mirabella said, laying down her terms before abruptly ending the call.
Martin was stunned, never expecting the phone to be what Mirabella wanted.
But then again, why should she help him for nothing.
Aside from the phone, he had nothing else to offer that could possibly tempt her.
After much contemplation, Martin was about to approach Serena when his phone rang with a call from the enigmatic figure.
“Why haven’t you dealt with the girl yet? You promised me action,” the voice on the other end demanded angrily.
“I need more time. My mother and sister’s lives are at stake. They depend on her,” Martin tried to pacify the caller.
“There’s no more time! I want to hear she’s been taken care of by midnight tomorrow, or I’ll come for your family myself!”
“Hello? Hello?” Martin was fuming but couldn’t afford to burn bridges just yet, especially since he had no intention of harming Mirabella, hoping to stall for even a split second longer.
Just then, Serena rolled out in her wheelchair to find him. Martin quickly crouched before her, speaking in a tone of negotiation, “Serena, there’s a way we can save mom and sis. Would you be willing to help?”Serena, sensing the desperate tone in his voice and his expression, had an ominous feeling but still asked with feigned sincerity and asked, “What’s the plan?”
“Mirabella wants your phone, in exchange for their lives.”
His words made Serena’s smile freeze. Holding back her anger, she managed a smile and asked, “How does she know about the phone? Did you tell her?”
Seeing Martin stay silent, Serena grew anxious. “Martin, that was our secret. How could you share it with an outsider?”
“With the situation so dire, if we give her the phone, we could save mom and sis. Please?” Martin implored.
Serena’s demeanor shifted, “That was the last thing my dad left me. Why should I hand it over?””The guilty have their debts; she’s after the mastermind of the hospital fire. Dad’s gone; she won’t go after you.”
“Martin, I can’t.” Serena maneuvered her wheelchair to leave, “I won’t hand over the phone, no matter what. Anything else, I’d consider.” “Serena.” Martin quickly held onto the wheelchair, stopping her from leaving, “Our mom and sister are lying in there.”
“So am I not family to you? Do you disregard my feelings just because I don’t share the Cooper blood?
In a crisis, you choose them over me?”
“I never had to do things I didn’t want to before. What’s changed now?” Serena looked up at Martin, her eyes brimming with heartache. She hadn’t expected to see his true colors at such a critical moment.
“Serena, this is about my mom and my sister’s lives. Please, I’m begging you.” Martin suddenly dropped to his knees in front of Serena’s wheelchair, grasping her hands earnestly as he pleaded.
Serena felt both hurt and furious. “That cellphone was the last thing my dad gave me before he passed away. You’re essentially asking me to trade my father’s life for your mom and sister’s lives. How can you be so heartless, so cruel?”
Just then, a young nurse hurried over, clutching a critical condition notice, urging Martin to sign it.
Martin was out of options. He knelt on the ground, dignity abandoned, begging Serena desperately.
But Serena shrugged off his hands, pressing a button on her wheelchair’s armrest to wheel away.
The young nurse watching the scene felt a pang of sympathy, and even Dora and June, standing not too far off, couldn’t believe how cold Serena could be.
After all, Martin had sacrificed so much to save Serena.
Now, all he wanted was the cellphone which could potentially save two lives.
Although they didn’t know the secrets hidden within that phone, Serena’s actions were undoubtedly breaking Martinr’s heart.
Martin stood up, looking utterly defeated, and glanced at the notice in the nurse’s hand.
“Can I have a little more time?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Perhaps moved by Martin’s plight, or maybe because she thought he still had a chance, the nurse nodded without pushing him further to sign.
At that moment, Fitch approached with an autopsy report in hand.
“I got permission from the truck driver’s family to conduct an autopsy by a professional. This is the authoritative report. They found undigested medication in the driver’s stomach, a drug that is different from sleeping pills but has a much stronger effect. It induces sleep, hallucinations, and makes one sleep deeply and soundly.”
Fitch shoved the report into Martin’s hands. “This proves that the accident was no coincidence – it was orchestrated!”
“Fitch, I’m really busy now. I don’t have time for this.” Martin, frantic and feeling helpless, dialed Mirabella’s number, telling Fitch, “I need to speak with Mirabella. My mother’s condition is critical. We can talk about the driver’s case later.”
Fitch stepped aside, waiting quietly.
“No.” Martin said, a mix of helplessness and sorrow in his voice. “She won’t give it up.”
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.