SWNOVELS Chapter 82
Chapter 82
Catherine’s face was ashen, her lips bitten as she struggled to find words. But Summer stood up decisively, giving Mandy’s arm a gentle tug.
“Mom, ease up a bit, will ya? If Grandma wants Mirabella here to look after her, let’s just give Mirabella a ring. Mirabella might not be her flesh and blood, but the bond they’ve built over the years is the real deal. You don’t need to squabble with Grandma over me. Her health is what’s paramount.”
Summer’s smile had a hint of bitterness, and then she took out her phone from her bag.
Upon hearing this. Mandy’s anger flared even more. Seeing Summer about to make a call to Mirabella, Mandy couldn’t help but snatch the phone away from her.
“What’s the point of calling her? Why are you so pigheaded, kid? You’ve put your company’s big shindig on hold to come take care of your grandmother, and now you want to bring that girl into this? I can’t decide if you’re naive or just plain foolish.” Mandy scolded, her tone a mix of exasperation and disappointment.
“Mom, it’s alright.” Summer reached out to retrieve her phone, but as she looked up, she suddenly froze upon seeing Mirabella standing at the doorway.
Mandy followed Summer’s gaze to the door and stiffened at the sight of Mirabella, her face quickly darkening. “What are you doing here?”
Mirabella’s presence seemed to catch Catherine off guard as well, her face flushing with anxiety. “Actually, Mira stayed with me through the night,” Catherine hurried to explain, hoping to clear any misunderstandings.
“All night?” Mandy snorted with disbelief and cast a doubtful glance at Catherine. “Mom, you’re covering for her again? If she was here all night, why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
Catherine muttered defensively, “Would you have believed me? Would you not have sent Mira away?” Catherine had hoped to persuade them to leave before Mirabella returned, but she hadn’t expected her to come back so soon.
Mandy scoffed at Catherine’s words. “So, in your eyes, I’m that unworthy as a daughter?”
Catherine looked away, unwilling to engage further.
“Mom.” Summer’s timely interjection broke the tension. She shook her head at Mandy, then quickly moved toward the door to welcome Mirabella. “Mira, come on in. Grandma’s been waiting for you.”
Mirabella cast a cool glance at Summer. Before Summer’s hand could even graze her, Mirabella sidestepped and made her way into the room without giving Mandy a second look, heading straight to the grandmother’s bedside with an even tone. “Didn’t I tell you not to get worked up? Not listening again, are we?”
Catherine looked up at Mirabella’s impassive face, her own expression shrinking. “I’m not upset. I’m fine.”
Mirabella’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “If you were fine, you wouldn’t have had an episode last night.”
Catherine fell silent, looking every bit the chastened child. She wasn’t intimidated by anyone’s anger, except for Mira’s.
Summer watched the scene unfold, her gaze dropping and fingers tightening. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to earn more than a cursory glance from her grandmother. She really hated Mirabella.
Meanwhile, Aiden, who had been absorbed in his phone the whole time, finally looked up. His eyes held a hint of confusion as he observed Mirabella.
Was this the same sister he remembered as being foolish, clumsy, and timid?