Arabella strolled into the living room of Reflections Villa, finding Lucas and Beverly comfortably ensconced on the couch, sipping
tea and sharing laughs with her parents.
"Hey, Bella," Beverly's features, always graced with an aristocratic warmth, softened into a welcoming smile at the sight of
Arabella.
"What's up so late? Aunt Beverly, Uncle Lucas, you needed to see me?" Arabella settled into an armchair opposite them, an aura of
authority emanating from her relaxed posture.
Beverly returned the smile, gentle as ever, "Recently, strouble befell the family businesses, and all clues pointed to someone
known as 'Stinger'. Tonight, we found out you've nabbed him. Is that the case?"
Arabella's lips curved into a slight smirk, "You both are well-informed, indeed. Yes, he's with me."
"Would you mind turning him over to us? We're eager to find out why he did that," Beverly's voice was soft, almost as if coaxing a
child.
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"Why indeed?" Arabella mused, a playful edge to her tone. "Don't you already know?"
Both Lucas and Beverly were taken aback, clearly puzzled by the insinuation.
Tension suddenly crackled in the air.
"Bella, I'm not sure | follow." Lucas said with a congenial smile, his face a picture of benevolence.
"I'm just as clueless, just repeating what Stinger told me," Arabella maintained her smile.
Lucas, still smiling, prodded further, "And what exactly did Stinger tell you?"
"Not much yet, you arrived so soon," Arabella's smile didn't reach her eyes as she added, "Seems like you're quite concerned
about Stinger."
"Of course, he's thrown my companies into chaos. I'm at my wit's end; | just want to get to the bottom of it," Lucas said, clearly
agitated.
"Stinger's caught up in an investigation of mine. Once | wrap that up, I'll hand him over," Arabella stood, signaling the end of the
conversation.
"How about we just ask him a few questions, then he's all yours?" Beverly proposed, a hint of negotiation in her voice.
"No can do," Arabella replied with a light laugh, "lI know how eager you are, so I'll get right on the interrogation and hand him over
as soon as possible."
Beverly opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it, falling silent.
Lucas watched Arabella leave, his expression unreadable.
"Bella's always been headstrong; there's no stopping her," Kenneth chimed in, offering them more tea with a cheery smile. "She's
always had her own way of doing things."
Louisa added with affectionate pride, "Even if we could stop her, we wouldn't. As her parents, we'd support her all the way. | heard
she's quite urgent about this investigation. Lucas, Beverly, it's just a business setback for you. Bella said she'd hand over Stinger
once she's done. Let her finish her work first."
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"Yes, indeed." Kenneth agreed, smoothing over any tension with a chuckle, "Stinger probably just saw an opportunity to cause
strouble or make a quick buck. It's all small fry to Bella's case. After all, it's a matter of life and death she's looking into. Since
she caught him, she deserves to wrap it up her way, then she'll hand him over to you."
Beverly smiled diplomatically, "Bella's quite the prodigy, agile and sharp."
Louisa caught the underlying note, replying with a chuckle, "Indeed, and lucky for us, Uriah taught her self-defense. We owe him
thanks; without those skills, she might not have caught Stinger tonight. You know, last the cforward to clear the air for
Bella, or folks might still think she's got ties to the underworld."
But when Uriah himself clarified that he was the one who taught Arabella her moves, well, that's a different story.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while longer, Lucas and Beverly finally glanced at the clock striking half-past eleven and rose to
take their leave.
"We won't keep you any longer," Beverly said with a gracious smile. "You should get srest."
"Right, right, you too, head off and get ssleep," Louisa said, walking them to the front door.