Chapter 27
Mandy’s face turned a shade of red. “Mirabella, have you lost your marbles?”
With a lazy smirk tugging at her lips, Mirabella stretched out on her bed like a cat in a sunbeam, her striking eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her feathery, light voice floated through the air, “If you’re not the queen of Wall Street, then what gives you the gall to make such a racket here?” With a sigh, Mirabella ended the call.
At the sound of the disconnected line, Mandy shook with rage, hurling her smartphone onto the coffee table with a clatter. It bounced and skidded onto the floor.
Summer, who stood nearby, flinched, a testament to the chilling atmosphere. She quickly bent down to retrieve the fallen device, observing the shattered screen before silently placing it back on the table.
Then, taking a seat next to the fuming Mandy, Summer reached out and gently patted her back. “Mom, simmer down, okay? No need to stoop to Mirabella’s level. She was raised by Grandma and turned out a bit wild, so her words can be… well rough around the edges. Don’t take it to heart. It’s not worth your health.”
Summer had heard every word since Mandy had put the call on speakerphone. To be honest, even Summer was a bit taken aback by Mirabella’s audacious tone. Her voice sounded perfectly normal, but it carried an undercurrent of arrogance that was hard to ignore.
Mandy always cared deeply about appearances, and being confronted in such a manner was bound to get under her skin. After Summer murmured some soothing words, Mandy’s expression finally softened. She looked at her obedient and sensible daughter and, with a touch of relief, stroked her hair. “You’re the considerate one.”
Mandy was grateful once more, that the mix–up at the hospital had been corrected. If she’d been stuck with a daughter like Mirabella, it would’ve been the death of her. Taking a deep breath, Mandy recalled the real reason for waiting up that evening. She reached for a petite purse on the table, pulled out a credit card, and handed it to Summer.
“School’s about to start, and there’s half a million on this card. Take it for now. If it’s not enough, just tell me.”
Summer tried to hand the card back. “Mom, I’ve got enough money. I haven’t even spent what you gave me last time.”
Mandy insisted, pushing the card back into her hands. “The Gilberts can’t look less than anybody else. And with your training and online popularity soaring, you’ve got to keep up appearances.”
Summer glanced at the card in her hand, then looked up with a smile. “Thanks, Mom.”
Meanwhile, after ending the call, Mirabella was preparing to shower and get some sleep. She had just grabbed her pajamas from the dresser when a knock sounded at her door. “Mira, are you up?” came Delilah’s voice from the hallway.
Mirabella placed her sleepwear down thoughtfully and walked to the door, opening it to find her mother.
Spotting her daughter’s composed but passive attitude, and keeping in mind Emmitt’s actions from earlier that evening. Delly gently queried, “Are you cross with Emmitt?”
Mirabella looked puzzled. “Huh?”
Delilah’s concern seemed to fade as she realized Mirabella apparently hadn’t taken the evening’s events to heart. She breathed a sigh of relief but felt a twinge of discomfort as she said, “Sometimes, Emmitt can be a bit oblivious and not consider your feelings. Don’t take it personally, okay?”
Now understanding her mother’s concern, Mirabella responded with succinct reassurance, “I know, Mom. I’m not upset.”
