Capítulo 18: Chapter 18. More Statues or Companies, Timo?

By the time Jamal, Tyrone, and Whitney arrived home, they were quite confused as to why the store was already closed. They quickly rushed inside the house, fearing that something might have happened to Yolanda or Aleysia.

However, their fears were unfounded. Inside the house, Aleysia was helping Yolanda set the table for dinner, and it was clear they were preparing for a rather special feast.

"Babe, what's going on?" Jamal rushed to his wife's side.

"Wash your hands and sit down. Aleysia and I have something to tell you," Yolanda said, giving her husband a gentle peck on the lips.

Jamal glanced at his two other children, Tyrone and Whitney, who were already seated and waiting expectantly. He quickly put down his bag, washed his hands, and then hurried to take his seat at the dining table. The air was thick with anticipation as the family gathered; all eyes turned towards Yolanda and Aleysia, waiting to hear the news.

Yolanda cleared her throat, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Well, you all know that Aleysia has been through a lot in her life. But today, we've received some very unexpected and wonderful news."

Aleysia, her sightless eyes shining with a renewed sense of hope, spoke up. "Zoey Robinson, my father's old business partner, called me today. She said that she's managed to regain control of the company and that the original will of my father has been found." Jamal's eyes widened in surprise, and Tyrone and Whitney exchanged a glance, equally stunned by the revelation.

"And she said I own a 30% stake in the company, and Zoey wants to give it back to me," Aleysia continued, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and excitement. "And not only that, but she also gets my family's house back, and she asked me what I want to do with it."

The room erupted in a chorus of happiness and congratulations, the family gathering around Aleysia and Yolanda, embracing them with joy and relief. Whitney shrieked in happiness, and Tyrone moved to hug Aleysia and lift her up while Jamal teared up and stared at Aleysia in disbelief.

The Owens knew how difficult Aleysia's life had been and how she had managed to survive through it all. For seven years, she had stayed with them, and they had witnessed her struggles, her efforts to overcome her suicidal thoughts, and her determination to keep going.

And now, this news was the best thing that had happened in Aleysia's life. Jamal was overjoyed when he heard about it. "Is it true?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Yes, it's true," Yolanda replied to her husband.

"Do I know Zoey Robinson?" Jamal tried to remember, since he had been neighbors with the Simons for a long time.

"Do you remember the woman with blonde hair, petite, and always wearing glasses? She sometimes came with folders or a child in her arms?" Aleysia described Zoey.

"Oh! That's Zoey Robinson?" Jamal nodded, recognizing the woman he had seen but never really bothered to get to know.

The family's joy was palpable, and Aleysia could feel the weight of the world lifting from her shoulders. After years of hardship and struggle, she was finally being given a chance to reclaim what was rightfully hers. As she basked in the warmth of her loved ones' embrace, she knew that this was only the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one filled with the promise of hope and the opportunity to forge a brighter future.

"If all of this is true, I want to sell the house and give part of the sales to you. I just want to stay here with all of you. Can I?" Aleysia asked softly.

"You don't have to give us part of your money; we don't need it," Jamal said, patting Aleysia's head affectionately, treating her like his own daughter.

"You can always stay with us. Who's going to help me with the store if you're gone?" Yolanda said, pulling Aleysia into a warm hug.

"Those old men will stop coming to our grocery store if you stop working, Ale," Whitney teased, a mischievous grin on her face.

"Oh, come on, don't leave me. The only good thing in this cold city is you," Tyrone whined, but his smile was wide and genuine as he looked at Aleysia.

"Can I ask Aunt Yolanda to come with me to deal with everything in San Francisco?" Aleysia asked, still hesitant to impose on her family.

"Of course!" Jamal said, excitement evident in his voice. "Shall we get the tickets now?"

"I can take a week off. I can come! Let me book the tickets!" Whitney chimed in, eager to accompany them.

"Oh, shoot, I need two weeks' notice to get time off," Tyrone grumbled.

"Don't book any tickets, please," Aleysia laughed, hearing the excitement all around her. "Zoey told me she's going to send me the tickets. I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"Oh, that's even better!" Jamal exclaimed. "Then let's eat. Ty, bring out the beer!"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Tyrone quickly made his way to the fridge, retrieving five cans of beer.

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Medusa was still awake, intent on reading the documents that Timothy had brought her. Inside the folder was a list of the corruption and affairs of the current headmistress of Lombard Boarding School.

The same woman who had turned a blind eye to Aleysia's bullying by her own peers because the perpetrators had more affluent parents. One of them was the school's main donor, of course, leaving the headmistress no choice but to choose them over Aleysia, an orphan.

Medusa's brow furrowed as she pored over the damning evidence, her fingers clenching the papers tightly. How could someone entrusted with the care and education of young minds be so callous and corrupt? And to allow such heinous bullying to occur under her watch simply because the perpetrators had wealthy and influential parents—it was unconscionable.

"Humans are truly rotten," Medusa muttered, putting the damning documents aside and leaning back in her chair.

She had already set the wheels in motion to reclaim Aleysia's rightful place in the family business, and Zoey had carried out her instructions as planned. Medusa didn't wish for Aleysia to know that she was the one behind everything; she simply didn't want Aleysia to feel uneasy. After all, upon hearing a part of Aleysia's harrowing past, Medusa had tasked Bernard with digging up all the necessary information.

And now she was confronted with those responsible for Aleysia's miserable life. Medusa didn't want to seek revenge, per se; she simply wanted to help Aleysia regain what was rightfully hers and do so with dignity. However, it would come at a considerable cost.

"You should consider another exhibition. We'll need more statues," Medusa said, taking a deep breath. "Or do you need more companies, Timo?"

"Can I sleep on it and give you the answer tomorrow?" Timothy asked.

"Sure, go to sleep. It's late anyway. Bring the wine bottle and a glass to me first, though," Medusa replied.

Timothy nodded silently and quickly fetched the bottle of wine and a glass, placing them on the desk in front of Medusa.

Medusa poured herself a generous serving of the rich, ruby-colored liquid, swirling it gently before taking a sip. The smooth, velvety taste helped to calm her nerves, though she remained resolute in her determination to see this through.

"Thank you, Timothy. Get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow," she said, her gaze fixed on the documents before her.

"Yes, madam," Timothy replied, and he quickly made his way out of the room.

Right after Timothy left, Medusa removed her turban, allowing the snakes on her head to hiss freely.

"That was such a long day," she hissed, leaning back in her chair and sipping her wine. The rich, bold flavor of the wine caressed her tongue, providing a momentary respite from the weight of the day's events.