Mia immediately sensed that something was off. Raking her fingers through her hair, she said, "Nick, ignore whatever Dominic told you in the study. They were just kidding."It slipped her mind that Dominic must've summoned Nicholas to the study because of what Eva said to her earlier. She was awash in embarrassment. Clearly, Nicholas hadn't wanted to develop a romantic relationship with her—their relationship was strictly platonic. Dominic's meddling was only making things awkward for them. Nicholas lowered his head and said meekly, "Actually, I don't think I should ignore it."Mia was baffled. "To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised with what Dominic told me earlier."Mia was stunned. Spiraling in bewilderment, she was at a loss for words. As she studied Nicholas closely, she seemed to notice a distinctive glint in his eyes. It finally struck her that he might have feelings for her. Still, she'd failed to spot anything different regarding his attitude toward her. In fac
Mia plopped herself down on the couch after she sent Nicholas off. She couldn't quite snap back to her senses, as she'd always regarded him as a brother and had never thought of anything else. Eva approached her with a fruit plate. "So, how did things go?"Mia sprang up. "You knew?""Yeah, we all saw how he treated you the past four years. He might not have been very direct, but he can't hide the way he feels about you.""Are you kidding, Eva? I've never thought that Nick would fall for me. I was completely caught off guard. I can't really handle this.""Is it because you don't think he's a good person? You did mention that he's too busy with work," Eva asked."No! In fact, that's not the main reason. Nick's a really good guy, but I just never thought about our relationship that way," Mia reiterated her intention again.Eva suggested, "Why not give it some thought? I think Nicholas is quite brilliant."Spiraling in turmoil, Mia went upstairs to her room, where she struggled to
Mia scrutinized Ginger, sensing a hint of guilt in her expression. Why did she sound so certain earlier?Her eyes bore into Ginger's as she asked, "Tell me, Ginger. How are you so sure?"Ginger fumbled with her fingers nervously as she muttered, "I just know. Daddy won't take Sage and I away from you." He had promised her that he wouldn't, but that was a secret between the two of them. Mia asked, "Who would you pick if you really had to choose?" Ginger immediately threw herself into her arms. "Of course it's you, Mommy."A surge of warmth flooded through Mia as she embraced Ginger. She planted a few kisses on Ginger, moved by Ginger's unwavering loyalty to her.It seemed like she was merely speculating earlier. Timothy hadn't met Ginger that often, after all. "I'll bring you to the hospital later. Remember to not blow your own cover," Mia reminded her."Alright, Mommy."Mia took Ginger's hand and said, "I promise I'll find a suitable chance to let Timothy know about you and
"You'll come to empathize with me once you've experienced poverty. I was literally broke, and I couldn't afford a thing," Timothy stated nonchalantly. He never lacked money. However, the hardship of life finally struck him when he felt humiliated for not being able to afford his daughter's gift. Caleb remembered how Timothy stooped so low to work as a bodyguard in Nord City. He rubbed his nose. "Well, you're doing all this to pursue Mia, aren't you? I told you how it'd turn out back then, but you were stubborn. Now you're regretting it."Timothy met his eyes. "What did you tell me back then?""Stop playing dumb, Tim. I asked you whether you liked Mia back then and you denied it. You even suggested to divorce her. Now ask yourself whether you regret doing that. Things might have turned out differently if you hadn't mentioned a divorce."Timothy fell silent instantly, tightening his grip on the 50-dollar toy. He'd never been particularly bothered by any gifts before, but this t
Mia was surprised when Ginger addressed Timothy as her dad. She'd never thought it would come out from her that easily. That wasn't what Ginger used to call Timothy back then, after all. A pang of frustration shot through Mia when she chanced a glance at Ginger's expression. She could tell that Ginger was very fond of Timothy. She'd always been close with him, be it when Mia mistook Caleb as her ex-husband or when she finally cleared up the misunderstanding. Was this the bond of blood relations at work?Timothy went up to Ginger and stroked her cheek. "Are you afraid?""I'm not. I'm a big child now, and I'm not afraid of anything."He handed her a stuffed toy. "This is for you."Holding the toy, Ginger glanced over at the boxes piled up on the floor. "Are these all for me?"Timothy nodded. "Yes. You can open them and see which one you like."Seeing the clutter of toys in the room, Mia immediately intervened. "Ginger has never been short of toys ever since she was born. You didn't have
"Won't your family badger you to start a family after you've been single all these years?"Mia was slightly puzzled. What did he mean? Why the sudden question?She turned toward him and gave him a look. "Why did you ask? Does this have anything to do with you?""I admit that I was in the wrong back then. But now I want to start all over with you."Mia froze. She had never expected Timothy to say that to her. In the past, she would have been elated, but now she was perfectly composed. "Start all over again?" she questioned. "Going back to how I was treated four years ago?" Timothy knew how she was treated back at the Barrett residence four years ago. She definitely wouldn't tolerate it now like how she did before. His gaze faltered. "No. That's unfair to you.""It seems like you still have some conscience left, but let bygones be bygones. It's impossible for us to start all over again," Mia refused flatly. Timothy wasn't caught off guard by her refusal. Averting the topic,
Mia was utterly bewildered. Little did she expect to bump into Connie in this hospital. It was a small world indeed. The fact that Connie thought that Mia was here to apologize was even more absurd. Connie's audacity was truly palpable! It seemed like the Bowens hadn't learnt their lesson. They were still as arrogant as always and didn't hesitate to abuse their power.Connie had walked up to Mia while she was still stunned. Connie hollered, "You're nervous because we're about to close the deal with the Barretts, aren't you? Well, it's too late for you to apologize now. I won't forgive you."We won't accept you into our family as well. You used to look down on us, but you'll have a taste of your own medicine now."Mia's gaze darted between Connie and her attendant. "I'd like to ask whether there's anything wrong with Mrs. Bowen. Is her brain injured?" Mia asked nonchalantly.Otherwise, it wouldn't explain the absurdity of her speech now. "Mia, do you think I can't sense your
Connie exchanged glances with her attendant. They wore scornful expressions as they judged Mia.Bewildered, Mia exclaimed, "How could he not be? Haven't you met the CEO of Barrett Group before? Even if you haven't, wouldn't you have done a background check on the CEO of Barrett Group since you're going to work with him?"Connie replied haughtily, "Lewis has always been in charge of the deal. I believe he has already done a background check. Your bodyguard even broke his tooth last time. If he's really the CEO of Barrett Group, how could Lewis fail to recognize him? You're clearly lying."Her attendant, Selena, also mocked, "Exactly. He's nothing but a poor bodyguard. How could he possibly be the CEO of Barrett Group? If he's really the CEO, it'd be impossible for him to work as Mia's bodyguard."Looking at their smug expressions, Mia fell silent. They didn't believe her at all. She stroked her forehead helplessly and asked, "Are you sure there's nothing wrong with Lewis' informatio