Chapter 705 Luring the Fish to Bite
"Why?" Bonnie asked, flashing a grin.
Abella shot back, "If there's a snitch in the Harris family, they're probably sweating bullets about getting caught for crossing Grandpa and Uncle Caleb. Word on the street is Alexis has a thing for you, and you've been hanging out there for a while. You suddenly coming back? That snitch is probably freaking out that Alexis might spill the beans to you, and you'll go tattling to Grandpa and Uncle Caleb. So, your gig at the birthday bash is to smoke 'em out!"
Bonnie's eyes lit up with approval.
Abella continued, "Tonight's the perfect shot for them to make a move. We nab whoever tries to mess with you, and bam, there's our traitor!"
Bonnie's smile was blinding. "That's my girl, thinking of everything. You sure you're just a regular college kid? Got any secrets you're hiding?"
"Not really." Abella kept it vague, and Bonnie didn't push, but she had a hunch Abella was sharper than she let on.
"I brought you along 'cause you're sharp and quick on your feet, ready to roll with the punches. If things go sideways and they're ready for us, I might not be able to bail in time. With your smarts and connections, you can still get the word out," Bonnie said with a grin. "If I brought Lola, she'd be a sobbing mess."
So, that's why Lola got left behind.
"And as for why I didn't bring Caleb, you can guess, right?"
"Aunt Bonnie, you want the traitor to come after you. If Uncle Caleb was here, they'd be too scared to make a move. So, you sent him away on purpose?"
"Not exactly on purpose." Bonnie smiled, leaving it at that.
"Don't sweat it, Aunt Bonnie, I got this." Abella knew the birthday party was a minefield, but she had no clue who was gunning for Grandpa and Uncle.
Half an hour later, their car rolled up the hill, and from a distance, they spotted a swanky villa, lit up like a Christmas tree.
Dozens of luxury rides were parked out front, a clear sign the guests were loaded or had some serious clout.
The driver opened the door for them, lugging the gifts Bonnie had prepped, trailing behind them.
In the garden, guests were mingling in little cliques.
Some folks caught sight of Bonnie and looked like they'd seen a ghost.
"What's she doing here?"
"Rumor was Alexis nabbed her and she didn't bite the dust. Looks like it's true."
"What's Caleb thinking, still wanting her around?"
"And letting her crash tonight's birthday bash."
"How can she be the Harris family hostess?"
Abella caught their whispers and frowned. "These people are so rude."
"You'll get used to it." Bonnie strutted gracefully, her red dress screaming power. She ignored the chatter and headed straight into the main building.
The female guests were feeling all kinds of salty. "This damn Bonnie, still acting like we're invisible. She's been through hell and back, what's she got to be so smug about?"
Inside the main building, a bunch of relatives were cracking up an old man. He looked pretty spry, rocking a birthday hat that the younger folks had plopped on his head.
The driver handed the gifts to Bonnie and Abella, and Bonnie stepped up with a smile.
"Uncle Derek, happy birthday! This is a little something from Caleb and me." Bonnie handed over the gift.
Derek Harris' servant quickly stepped in to take it.
"Maybe you all don't know Abella's story yet. Let me introduce her. She's Kimberly's daughter, Abella, who was lost and recently found. Abella, this is your Grandpa Derek," Bonnie said.
"Grandpa Derek, wishing you health, happiness, and all the best on your birthday." Abella handed over her gift.
Bonnie added, "This is a token of respect from Abella."
Derek looked a bit surprised and stared at Abella for a moment before asking, "Are you really Kimberly's daughter?"
Before Abella could answer, he turned to Bonnie, puzzled. "And Beckett's her dad?"
"Who else?" Bonnie said confidently.
"How did she end up lost and in Verdania? Is she staying with you and Caleb now?"
"Uncle Derek, you're kidding. The Medici family treasures Abella. No way they'd send her away. She's here to visit her Grandpa. When she heard it was your birthday, she came to celebrate."
"Good, it's good she's back with the family." Derek's reaction was pretty chill, not showing much affection towards Abella.
A servant took Abella's birthday gift.
Erica and Angie, standing nearby, were glaring daggers at them.
Angie couldn't help but snark, "Your red dress is stealing Uncle Derek's thunder. People might think you're here to hog the spotlight."
The surrounding female elders chimed in, "This is your Uncle Derek's house, and today is his birthday party. As a junior, isn't it inappropriate to steal his spotlight?"
"It's been a while, and you're still so flashy!"
"Young folks just don't know how to be humble."
Bonnie smiled charmingly, looking especially stunning. "It's Uncle Derek's birthday, of course, I have to celebrate it in style."
"Alright." Derek's face wasn't exactly thrilled. "Bonnie, I heard Caleb had to go on a business trip this afternoon?"
"Yep."
"So what's the name of this girl you brought?"
"Abella."
"Alright, take Abella around and grab something to eat."
"Okay, Abella, let's go." Bonnie led Abella away, still radiating charm.
Angie was fuming. "She hasn't even apologized for yesterday's mess! And today, she's still strutting around like she's all that, flaunting it in front of us elders! Does she really think we won't put her in her place?"
"You know it's Derek's birthday today, so don't go picking fights with Bonnie," Angie's husband Ulysses Harris couldn't help but scold.
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