Mia was stunned. What was Timothy doing?Disappointment settled in his stomach when he realized the mole wasn't makeup.He quickly reclined back in his seat, his voice tinged with distance. "Sorry, but I can't accept that term, Ms. Monalize."She stared at him, baffled as her heart raced.She quickly reached for her wine to take a sip, trying to mask her emotions.Things were escalating in a direction beyond her expectations.She cleared her throat and asked, "What were you doing?""Your mole is pretty," commented Timothy indifferently.She was sure that he was telling a lie. The expression he wore when he touched her mole wasn't that of admiration. It was more like he was testing something.The weird feeling was too much for her to shake off now, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Was she overreading it?Timothy checked the time. "You can think of any terms other than that."Next, he stood up and handed her his business card. "Here's my business card. It can grant whate
Mia and Ginger showered. Mia was hugging Ginger. "Were you afraid when you sneaked out?""Nope. I brought all my weapons." Ginger began describing how she taught Caleb—that bad guy—and that bad woman a lesson vividly.Mia's mood got better because of the story. She knew Ginger very well.Similar to Mia, Ginger was never the one to tolerate something.Mia gently stroked Ginger's head. "Where did you sleep last night?""I slept with Mister and that bad guy. I wet the sheets when I woke up." Ginger was quite embarrassed when she mentioned that. She covered her face, her voice muffled as she asked, "Mommy, why do I still wet the sheets? I'm already a grown-up.""You're still a kid. Once you become an adult, you won't do that anymore. Still, I have to admit that you've grown up a lot." Mia's finger traced Ginger's ear. "Ginger, Mister is good friends with Caleb. Doesn't it bother you?""That works for me. That bad guy must treat you with respect when you date Mister."A giggle r
Ginger uttered, "Mommy's over there."Timothy lifted his head and noticed the napping woman in her seat.He cast his gaze down at Ginger, who barely reached his thigh. "What would you like to eat?""I haven't thought about it yet. The tables are too high. I can't see." Due to her height, Ginger couldn't get a clear view of the food on the table."Come here." He lifted her up, his voice deep. "What would you like to have?"As her field of vision expanded, she exclaimed in delight at the array of options. Ginger held her plate as her head swiveled left and right before her finger finally settled on her desired dish. "That one. That's it."Timothy strolled around the restaurant with Ginger in his arms. The sight was rather adorable. Mia woke up and began searching for Ginger, only to see Timothy carrying her.Mixed feelings stirred in her because it seemed like Ginger really liked Timothy. Ginger was all wreathed in smiles too. Timothy looked younger in his casual clothes compa
As soon as Mia said that, Luna's expression shifted.There was mischief in Mia's eyes. She never held back when dealing with a pretentious person. Not when she knew what Luna did to Ginger.On top of that, Ginger liked Timothy—all the more reason for Mia to eliminate her potential competitors. Timothy frowned at Luna. "What are you doing here?"Luna let out a weak smile. "Tim, I'm alright now. It's just scrapes. So, I came out to have a walk and have breakfast."Mia looked toward where Ginger was seated. "I'll bring the food to Ginger first."She then made her way to Ginger. "Finish everything.""Mommy, is the bad woman here to cause trouble again?" Ginger was anxious."Relax. I know how to deal with people like her," assured Mia as she placed the plate down.Then, she returned to the buffet section, to Luna's side. "Ms. Maynard, there are better ways to show your feelings. You shouldn't stoop that low. Besides, it doesn't work that way."Luna's eyes dimmed, and she retorted
Mia's innocent tone only served to infuriate Luna."The floor isn't slippery. You did that on purpose!" Luna's resolve didn't waver as she refused to concede. Quickly, Mia signaled to the restaurant manager. "The floor is too slippery, and I almost slipped. Please clarify the situation to this lady over here."The manager addressed Luna promptly. "Apologies, the humidity is high due to the recent rain. Let me arrange for a doctor for you, Ms. Maynard. We'll take full responsibility." Luna was rendered speechless, not expecting the restaurant manager to take it upon himself so quickly. Left with no choice, she gave up.Mia flashed a meaningful smile at Luna. "Ms. Maynard, you should hurry to the doctor. It would be a shame if it left a scar on you."Luna's gaze involuntarily shifted to Timothy. It was as if she hoped for him to speak up for her. "Go to the doctor," his voice was flat. The hope in her eyes faded. Luna felt that Timothy had neglected her since Monalize ente
Mia couldn't shake Luna's comment from earlier. Timothy's interest in Mia was clear, yet he remained frustratingly out of reach. However, the presence of another woman occupying his heart would explain his reluctance. Timothy's Adam's apple bobbed as he stared at Mia. "You can take it that way."Even after four years had passed, he still couldn't forget about Mia Bowen. Though she had disappeared without a trace, he held firm to the belief that she was still alive.That answer didn't surprise Mia at all. A smile smeared across her lips. "No wonder you keep rejecting me. You even give up the reishi mushrooms for her. I'm curious. What is she like? What is so good about her that you can't forget about her?"His eyes narrowed slightly, but he wasn't flustered by her questions at all. "I've answered your question. Now, it's your turn to answer mine."Timothy was too smart to be played around.Mia nodded. "Okay. Since when do I know Caleb? I think it's four years ago when I got pregn
Mia's blatant confrontation evoked more questions in Timothy. He was expecting her to feel guilty after he put it explicitly. However, her attitude was free from guilt and nervousness. She only appeared surprised.He had faith in his observation skills when it came to reading people's emotions. Yet, he failed to read anything from her face.His heart sank. He instantly nodded. "Yes. Guess there's no need to keep up with the act anymore."Mia sighed upon realizing that she had guessed correctly. She then leaned back in the chair, hand resting on the armrest. A knowing smirk touched her lips, and a shift in the atmosphere hinted at a newfound confidence. "Mr. Barrett, with all due respect, your flirting skills are old-fashioned. Even soap operas have moved beyond these tired clichés. What makes you think I'd fall for it?" Disappointment gnawed at her. She'd held onto the hope that he was different. Yet, here he was, mirroring the same tired patterns. He was no less different from
Wade was acting weird, but Mia simply brushed it off by reasoning that Caleb was the cause of it. After all, Caleb was good friends with Timothy.She managed her tone. "Do I have to explain why I want to investigate them?""Of course not. I'm on it." Wade hung up the call, feeling the need to call Dominic.Things were discoursing in the wrong direction. Wade called Dominic to report the situation right away.Dominic's face fell when he learned that Timothy had shown up. "What? Timothy Barrett was the one who had saved Ginger at the airport? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"Wade stammered, "B-Because Ms. Mia told me not to. Plus, Dr. Grayson did suggest she spend time with him. It's for her health.""Nonsense! Buy them plane tickets at this instant!" Dominic didn't want Mia to have anything to do with Timothy.Four years ago, Mia almost died on the operating table because of Timothy, and Dominic would never forget that.Dominic had spent years clandestinely opposing Barrett Group
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,