Chapter 3
“Since you’re here, there’s something I want to make clear today, and I hope you can take care of it.” Mandy declared with a return to her aristocratic demeanor. Though she spoke of hope, the undercurrent of her words suggested a command rather than a request.
Mirabella chuckled, and before she could respond, her grandmother, Catherine who had raised her from childhood- made her presence known. Catherine gently patted Mandy’s arm, signaling her to tone it down before turning her softened gaze to Mirabella. “Mira, you’re back. How did the competition go?“–
With a nonchalant hum, Mirabella replied, “Not too bad, I guess.”
“Did you win?” asked Catherine, the excitement clear in her voice.
“Yeah, first place,” Mirabella responded casually, without a hint of pride in her eyes, as if clinching the top spot was a
walk in the park for her.
Upon hearing this, Catherine was so delighted that she wiped away a tear. “Good girl.”
Mandy frowned, not understanding, and questioned Catherine, “First place in what competition?”
Catherine turned to her with a proud smile and began, “You might not know, but Mira is not only a stellar student but
also…”
Losing interest as Catherine didn’t directly answer her question and instead started praising Mirabella’s academic achievements, Mandy interrupted with impatience. “Okay, I get it. You don’t need to prop her up in front of me. She didn’t even qualify for the county high school with her grades. If it weren’t for the Gilbert family footing the bill, she’d probably be stuck in some party school.”
Pausing. Mandy cast a scornful glance at Mirabella. “A fake stone will never be mistaken for a diamond, no matter
what.”
Catherine looked worriedly at Mirabella, fearing the words might have hurt her. “You haven’t been involved in her life for years. You have no idea what Mira is like now…”
Mandy sneered dismissively, cutting her off again. “Mom, she’s not my biological daughter nor your real
granddaughter. Her name is Davis, and whether she does well or not is none of my concern, and I don’t want to hear
it.”
Catherine’s face tensed, harsh and dry words stuck in her throat. After a moment, she managed to mutter, “Mira is my granddaughter!”
Mandy massaged her temples, perplexed by Catherine’s delusion. “She’s been living off the Gilbert family for seventeen years while my daughter suffered. Mom, get a grip. Don’t just recognize anyone as family! You see her as kin, but she might just be using you, trying to swindle some money to send back to her real parents…”
“You stop!” Catherine trembled with rage. “I raised Mira myself. I know exactly what kind of person she is, so don’t you. dare cast your malicious suspicions on her.”
Mandy’s face turned ashen with anger. “You can’t tell right from wrong. Mom, I think you’re really sick in the head.”
Now in her sixties and with a heart condition, Catherine grew pale and clutched her chest tightly in response to Mandy’s harsh words. Seeing this, Mirabella placed what she was holding on the ground and quickly moved to Catherine’s side. She helped Catherine to a nearby wicker chair and took her wrist in her hand, checking her pulse.
