Mia had never been treated this way before. She was furious and mortified.Once Timothy had unceremoniously brought her into the bedroom, he tossed her roughly onto the bed.Gritting her teeth, Mia snarled, "Timothy, you bastard! What are you trying to do?"Timothy propped himself up on the bed and looked down at her. "What do you think? I'll let you see whether you'd find the experience forgettable."Mia's eyes flashed. "I refuse.""Now you refuse? You were having so much fun riling me up just now!"Timothy threw his tie aside and untucked his shirt. His gaze darkened as he said, "Go on. Tell me what kind of position you'd like to try this time."Mia felt like she had been insulted!What had gotten into Timothy?With an icy expression, she retorted, "Why are you acting like a raging jerk just because you're embarrassed?""I'm not!""See? You're furious. You can't even take a joke!"Timothy was speechless.He gripped Mia's chin and said, "Mia, you seem to have changed into
Mia thought that if she ever told anyone else about it, she would probably get snuffed out!Timothy pursed his lips and scoffed, "Don't get ahead of yourself. I was just pretending for Grandma's sake. I'm not interested in you."Mia stood up. "That means I can leave now, right?""Hold it. What if Grandma finds out you leave alone in the middle of the night? How am I supposed to explain things to her?"Mia thought about Laura's chilly hands. Hesitating, she asked, "When is Grandma going to get surgery?""Didn't you hear her? She refuses to get one."Frowning, Timothy added, "Before she agrees to get the surgery, don't tell her about our divorce.""Alright," Mia agreed without hesitation. "I'll try my best to get Grandma to agree to the surgery."Timothy's expression improved. "Let's sleep."Mia took out her phone and sent Patricia a text. "Aunt Patricia, I won't be coming back tonight. Help me inform Dominic."She had promised to head back tonight, but there was no way she cou
Timothy noticed that Mia ended up eating four pancakes, two slices of toast, and a bowl of cereal.Did she always have such a hearty appetite?Once breakfast was over, Laura abruptly held out an invitation. "Mia, I got you a spot as a contestant in this competition."Mia looked at the invitation. It was for the Fleur International Design Competition.Startled, she asked Laura, "When did you do this, Grandma?""Well, you sent me some interior design sketches a while back, and I just so happened to hear about this competition, so I got you a spot," Laura explained. "Give it a try, Mia. I think you'll do a great job."Mia stared at the invitation with a look of melancholy. She considered joining this competition years ago, but after marrying into the Barrett family, she devoted all of her time and attention to Timothy. In doing so, she neglected all of her past interests.Shelly strutted into the dining room and said casually, "Mia, that's no ordinary competition. Considering how u
Mia rushed to the hospital and took out her three years' worth of savings to pay for the hospital bills.It was a private hospital, but even though it was expensive, it provided the best care for James, giving him a higher chance of recovery.That being said, the medical fees were 100,000 dollars a month!Mia massaged her forehead. She had forgotten that the Barretts had been paying for James' medical expenses. Now that they were getting a divorce, Timothy no longer had any reason to continue footing the bill.She took out the competition invitation. If she won first place, she would be getting a million in prize money.Then, she sent a message to her friend, Gina Palmer. "Gigi, you mentioned the Fleur International Design Competition's setup a while back. Can you send me a copy of the information? I plan on taking part this year."Gina's reply came soon after. "Of course. You're finally making a comeback, huh? If you join the competition, I'm sure you'll come out on top. Everyon
After hearing everything, the sore spot in Mia's heart slowly began to heal. Her family hadn't abandoned her on purpose.Dominic finally managed to pull himself together, though his eyes were still red. "Mia, it's all my fault. I didn't do a proper background check to ensure that the nanny was a good one. I'm the reason why you were separated from the family for so many years."Mia's eyes reddened as well, and Patricia was sobbing harder than her. "Mia, at last, you've found your family. This is wonderful."Though Mia hadn't been on the verge of tears, Patricia's crying made her burst into tears as well.The six men nodded to themselves. The first step of the plan was a success.They needed to slowly heal Mia's heart and undo the hurt she felt.Dominic secretly sent his assistant a message to settle the hospital bills on Mia's behalf.…The next morning, Mia was once again woken up by a phone call.Still half-asleep, she answered the call, "Hello?""Mia, where's my watch? Whe
Liam sensed how good of an opportunity this was for the family.He cleared his throat and asked, "Mia, do you like interior designing?""That's right," Mia replied. "That was my major at college. At the time, I really wanted a home of my own. Plus, it's a well-paid career, so that's why I chose it back then."After hearing that Mia made her choice partly because of money, Liam felt an ache in his heart. "From now on, you have us. You don't need to worry about money.""Well, I can't rely on you guys forever. I got used to being independent a long time ago," Mia said.She didn't dwell on Liam's words. The two of them were currently in a car headed for the competition venue.Liam calmly took out his phone and gave a report in the group chat. "I've got news. Dominic, Mia wants to join the Fleur International Design Competition your company's organizing."Dominic shot back a reply. "Ask Mia if she likes being the winner."He was being serious.Liam was speechless.Dominic swiftly
As Mia put away her documents, she tutted and remarked, "Shelly, how is there no limit to your stupidity? Haven't you learned your lesson from the last time? "Did you come here so that I can give you a sound beating again? This explains the comments people make behind your back. I get it now."Shelly stomped her feet in rage. "I'm going to kill you, Mia!"Liam glared menacingly at Shelly as he growled, "Go on. Let's see if you dare. Do it, and I'll see if I can give your plastic surgeon another chance to give you a new nose."Terrified, Shelly shielded her nose and shut her mouth.Mia said to Liam, "Let's go. Aunt Patricia told me not to spend time with fools."Smoke was coming out of Shelly's ears. She secretly took a photo of Mia and Liam from behind before calling Maya. "Maya, didn't you tell the head of the organizing committee to close registrations a day early to stop Mia from joining?""That's right," Maya replied. "I spoke to the head of the committee. The registration
Mia returned home after registering for the competition. She started drafting her design.That night, her brothers, cousins, and Eva came by for dinner. They talked about her participating in the Fleur International Design Competition.Dominic's eyes lit up. "Do you like winning first place, Mia?"Mia was taken aback by this question. "I don't think anyone would dislike that."But who could be sure when it came to competitions? She could only try her best.Eva stomped on Dominic's foot. Then, she said, "Your brother just means that you'll definitely win first place since you're so good at this."Dominic nodded vigorously. He had to ensure Mia won first place. Even if there weren't a first place to win, he'd create one for her!What did principles matter when this had to do with his sister?Mia didn't think of this. She returned to her room to slave away at her designs. She could finally participate in this competition again after a number of years.Three years ago, she wouldn'
None of the major shareholders was a fool.After that, Mia was busy handling Barrett Group affairs and barely had time to rest.With an exhausted look, she returned to the hospital.Mia looked at Timothy and said, "I'll run away if you don't wake up soon.""No… Please don't go…" Timothy grabbed her hand. His gaze was deep.Mia's eyes reddened as she gazed at the man who had just regained consciousness. Timothy finally came out of his coma.After that, everything was back to normal. Those who caused trouble quieted down.Sharon visited Timothy and told him that she was going to settle down overseas and would not come back anymore.Timothy bought her a property and gave her a huge sum of money before sending her away from Bern City.As for Maya, it was discovered that she was not the granddaughter of the Prime Minister of Yellow Island but merely his caregiver. Yet, she had been deceiving people outside.After Maya was exposed, she ran away dejectedly. Nobody knew where she was
Sage stood beside Timothy in silence.Soon, news that Timothy was hospitalized spread, and Barrett Group's stock plunged.The relatives of the Barrett family requested to hold a board meeting to elect another CEO.On the day of the board meeting, Mia brought her two children to Barrett Group.They managed to keep everyone on a leash as Sage bore a striking resemblance to Timothy.Mia marched into the meeting room, sat in Timothy's chair, and glanced at everyone present. "Let's begin. Didn't you all want to have a meeting?"One of the middle-aged men said, "Ms. Lane, this is the Barrett Group board meeting. It's not appropriate for you to be here.""That's right. Though the kids are Mr. Barrett's children, they're still young and do not have any shares. You all shouldn't be here."Mia flung a document onto the table. "This is an agreement signed by Grandma Laura to authorize me to manage Timothy's shares.""Anyway, we still need to elect a CEO to handle our company affairs.""
"Because to me, you're my family too," Timothy said.When Sharon heard the word 'family', her eyes turned red. Then, she turned around and left the ward.Mia walked out and asked Peyton to send Sharon to the hospital for a checkup.Looking at Sharon's back, Mia said, "I hope you don't let him down since he regards you as his family. He's the only one you can depend on now."Sharon did not turn her head around. Mia did not know if Sharon would listen to her advice.Mia immediately called her brother. "Dominic, I met Maya."She then told him everything about Maya.Dominic frowned. "I never thought she would go to Yellow Island.""Do you think she's really the granddaughter of the Prime Minister of Yellow Island?""Don't you know how good she is at lying?" Dominic said.Mia nodded. "Yeah, you're right. But I still don't know whether she's related to Yellow Island.""Don't worry, I'll find out."When Mia returned to the ward after ending the call, she saw a doctor bustling arou
Mia went straight to the hospital to ask Timothy about the matter.But when she arrived, someone had reached there earlier than her."Timothy, what do you mean? All I did was pull a few strings, but you want to humiliate me publicly. How am I going to maintain my standing in the company?" Sharon said.Mia went in with a frown. "This is funny. It's not just about pulling a few strings, but it's aimed at me. Mrs. Barrett, your actions have leaked confidential commercial information.""Stop trying to scare me. It's my son who opened doors for you. It's the Yellow Islanders who wanted to collaborate with us, and they are much better than you," Sharon retorted. Mia said with a half-hearted smile, "At first, I didn't want to pursue this matter. But since you put it this way, wait for my lawyer's letter then.""Such big talk, huh?" A mysterious-looking woman wearing a hat and a mask walked in from outside.Mia felt that the woman looked somewhat familiar. "Are you the rumored granddau
Mia glanced at the person on the screen. Without answering the woman, she turned off the laptop.After all, there was no need for Mia to explain anything.After Mia turned off the laptop assertively, she turned around and looked at Timothy. He did not say a word but started eating.Soon, Heath received a call. He left the ward and said to the woman on the other side of the phone, "She's Mr. Barrett's ex-wife. You'd better not mess with her."While Timothy was eating, Mia finished reading the proposal in her hand.She had to admit that the document was very valuable.Mia was about to leave the ward when Timothy almost finished eating, but his voice sounded behind her. "What did you say when you met her at the cafe earlier?""Did you follow me?""I followed her, to be exact. After all, the Hopkins are not good people."Mia totally agreed with that.She paused briefly before she said, "Grandma Laura asked me to talk to her because she doesn't agree with you about giving her all
"You don't know anything," Sharon said.Mia retorted, "I might not know everything, but Timothy is innocent. Before he knew the truth, he always regarded you as his mother. Even after he found out the truth, he has never mistreated you."Besides, when you said you wanted the Barrett family's wealth, he agreed. Tell me, who else could do what he did?"Mia felt that Timothy might have been hurt by Sharon's words.He seemed impressive on the outside, but his identity was a dark secret.Therefore, his relationship with Sharon became awkward.Sharon's eyes reddened. "But I also treat him like my biological son.""You're also his foster mother. Now everyone related to him is dead, and you're the only one he has. What are you afraid of?"Sharon wiped off her tears. "I'm not afraid of anything. It's just that I felt that I can't trust anyone.""Timothy is a man of his word. However, Grandma Laura said that if you remain stubborn, making the will public is her only option," Mia said.
Mia noticed Sharon's expression changing slightly when she mentioned Laura.Sharon took her cup of coffee and said, "What? Does Mrs. Barrett Senior still want to lecture me even when she's on her deathbed? She must have known Timothy's identity all along, but she conspired with her son to keep the truth from me. "She and the Barretts are birds of a feather. What else does she have to say?"Mia was not surprised by her words. She had expected that Sharon would certainly think this way.Fortunately, she managed to stop Laura when she said she wanted to meet Sharon.Sharon was emotionally unstable now. What if Laura said something unpleasant and Sharon retorted? Her words might upset Laura.Mia took a kraft envelope out of her handbag and placed it in front of Sharon. "I hope you won't regret saying those words after reading this.""What's this?""This is the will that your husband left behind, as well as the divorce agreement."Hearing that, Sharon quickly took the document out
Mia hesitated to risk exposing Laura to Sharon's potential agitation.Due to Sharon's emotional vulnerability, she often spoke impulsively. With Laura's delicate health in mind, any disruption was simply out of the question.As Laura recounted past events, Mia remained silent, absorbing her words.Upon hearing Laura's story, Mia was taken aback. She hadn't expected there to be hidden aspects to Timothy's family history.Taking a moment, she asked, "Does Timothy have any knowledge of this?""He doesn't. Some things are best kept from him," Laura replied calmly.Mia harbored some lingering questions in her mind. Unable to suppress them any longer, she asked, "Considering your knowledge of Timothy's background, what is your opinion of him?""Tim is a commendable young man, and he has never let our family down. He has achieved remarkably well for himself. To be honest, I feel indebted to him as well."At first, I only kept him around for the sake of preserving the Barrett family li
Despite her initial reluctance, Mia eventually found herself making her way to Timothy's ward.As she entered, she couldn't help but notice Timothy's expressionless demeanor as he lay there.Carrying a tray of food, Mia approached him. "The doctor pointed out your extreme fatigue. It's crucial that you increase your food intake and prioritize proper rest to reduce the risk of sudden complications."Upon hearing Mia's voice, Timothy lifted his gaze to find her seated beside him. His lips moved slightly as he asked, "What did you tell Luna?""Not much," Mia responded. "Just a sprinkle of salt on the wound and a dash of psychological pressure to make sure Luna doesn't have it easy in prison."Placing the tray of food in front of him, Mia urged, "Please, just a few bites.""I'll eat later. By the way, the kids have been here at the hospital for quite a while. You should take them home," Timothy suggested.Frowning, Mia insisted, "You should eat something first."As her words faded,