Every second was gold to Mia now.She went on to practice her piece, wishing to make up for her past regret. The song reminded her of the orphanage.Snippets of memories from the place only came to her when she played piano.Aside from forgetting about the orphanage, she realized that she seemed to have forgotten someone, someone important to her.The practice session continued for a while as she walked down memory lane at the same time.Right then, a woman with short hair showed up, scanning the area with eyes of scrutiny.Mia raised her head and asked, "Hi there, anything I can help you with?""Hi, I'm from the Literature Department and writing is my interest. I'd like to write a virtuoso as the female lead, so I'm looking around for inspiration. "I don't know anyone from the Music School and I don't dare to approach any one of them. But you caught my eye a few times. You're not from the Music School, are you? Are you Mia Bowen?""That's me. Come in, have a seat," Mia offer
Claude's name was on the guest list! Mia thought that she was seeing things.However, he never told her about it before. Was it another person with the same name? Dubious, she contacted him but no one picked up the call.Strange.But it should be another person sharing the same name, she believed. Mia checked the decorations in the hall again. Once she confirmed that everything was in place, she felt the weight on her chest lifted."Mia Bowen, how dare you show yourself here?"She looked back only to see Sharon and Maya entering the hall with linking arms.Maya wore a triumphant expression. Although she couldn't stop the property settlement agreement from happening, Sharon could.Timothy could never do anything to his biological mother, could he?The sight of Mia enraged Sharon, especially after hearing about the existence of the property settlement agreement from Maya. God knew how much Sharon wished for Mia to vanish in thin air at that instant.Sharon lashed out, "Who
"Okay. Don't be mad, Mrs. Barrett. I believe that the divorce agreement has pulled her senses back." After saying that, Maya intentionally cast a triumphant glance at Mia. Maya believed that there had to be someone to teach Mia a lesson, but this was not the end.When the music show started, something else prepared for Mia.Mia clucked her tongue. She thought of discarding the divorce agreement, but the idea was immediately brushed off by the possibility of someone reading the content.In the end, she kept it in her tote bag.Honestly, Timothy's property didn't interest her at all. She said it that way simply because she didn't want to see their gloating expressions.Spinning around, Mia continued her inspection to ensure nothing was wrong with the decorations in the hall.After all, the credits from this event were important to her. Soon, the musicians arrived.She recentered her focus upon Anthony's arrival, fearing that the fussy man would pick on her at this crucial mome
After speaking with Claude, Maya gave Mia a provoking gaze and the latter noticed it.Frowning, Mia couldn't understand the meaning of that.Not long after, Claude came up to Mia. "Mia, aren't your legs tired from all the standing?""Nope, I'm fine. There's a chair for me to sit on. Claude, I was surprised to see your name on the guest list a while ago. I thought it was another person with the same name."You didn't tell me that you're going to attend the music show.""This is how a surprise works." He couldn't bring himself to stand in a corner watching the music show. His brows furrowed at that. "Come sit with me. My seat is better."She hurriedly shook her head. "I'm fine with my spot. If something comes up, I have to go deal with it."It seemed like Claude had to deal with his helplessness himself. "Fine. When you come to Nord City, I'll take you to a grander music show."When that time came, he would announce to everyone that he had such a kind and cute sister. He would or
Vanta Armstrong, the chief, was playing the piano.Mia watched his performance as her fingers moved along with the rhythm as though immersed in the music show.Two hours later, the music show came to an end.The applause didn't stop, the host came forward. "It's an honor to present such a marvelous music show by talented musicians. "On a side note, we have a mini interactive corner for today's event that is—two lucky audiences would be picked randomly to come onstage to perform."A commotion surged among the crowd.Mia appeared rather calm because it was an internal decision to pick the top scholars from the Music School, who were highly likely to join the musicians.The light shone upon a senior student from the Music School. With grace, she walked up to the stage and played the violin. Mia acknowledged her skills because she had a good sense of rhythm.Then, it was time for the second audience to be picked.Maya, who was at the guest's seat, flickered her eyes in a direct
Maya stared at Mia in disbelief. It was that children's song that Maya could never possibly forget. Was she hearing things?How? How could this be?The color drained from her face as her eyes widened in shock. Previously, she heard that song by chance and began searching for the pianist from room to room. She also came across Mia playing piano in the classroom.Maya simply brushed it off, assuming that Mia was just there for a practice session.In fact, Mia was actually one of the people Maya suspected. Mia was adopted, so she should be an orphan.Maya's fingers were trembling. If Mia was the person she had been looking for—the true Ms. Lane she had been looking for—what should she do?Maya's eyes scoured for Timothy. If the Lanes found Mia, would Maya lose her chance to be Mrs. Barrett?No, she would never let that happen!Maya zeroed in on Mia performing onstage, her eyes mixed with malicious emotions as she thought, "You've been sent away, so why are you still getting in m
Mia shook her head. "No, I'm not from the Music School. I just started piano not long ago.""But you played it so well! Who's your tutor? Do you mind sharing?"Her eyes darted at Claude as she smiled shyly. "Someone important to me."Her voice dropped and the audience squealed. Timothy gave Claude a fleeting glimpse, his mood getting worse and worse. He looked at Mia, who was smiling brightly onstage.It was someone important to her?Loosening his tie, Timothy was irked.Claude intentionally gave Timothy a look. "Hear that? I am the one who's important to Mia."Timothy couldn't comprehend how men were flocking to her after the divorce.When Claude made his way toward Mia, Maya couldn't sit still anymore. She followed him, wanting to get to the bottom of it.The audience seat was empty, but Timothy was still sitting there in low spirits.Kennedy approached him. "Congratulations, Mrs. Barrett! That was such a wonderful performance from Mrs. Barrett. "The professor from the
Something seemed off from Maya's expression, but Mia couldn't quite put her finger on it.Claude followed Mia's gaze and naturally saw Maya. His face turned to a grumpy one. "What are you doing here?"Mia found his unfriendly expression strange because he had always been a gentleman to ladies. It was one of his attributes as a playboy.Yet, his attitude toward Maya was nasty. That was strange.Maya forced a smile. It wasn't the time to be bothered by Claude's attitude. "The piece you played was beautiful. But I think the opening is another song. More like a children's song?" She tested the water. Before this, Maya had contemplated many things in her head. Could Mia still remember what happened during their younger days?If so, she should be able to recall how Maya convinced her to move to the other orphanage.Maya's question struck Mia as weird. Pausing momentarily, Mia answered, "You're right. I merged it with another piece of my favorite. Anything wrong about it?""N-Nothi
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,