Mia's jaw tightened. "Waiting for me? It seems like you're competing for this project on purpose, huh?"Timothy nodded without hesitation. "That's right."She didn't expect him to admit it so confidently. She stepped forward and pulled his necktie. "You're one daring thief, huh? I was being nice and let you go and yet this is how you repay my kindness?"Placing his hands by the doorframe, he stopped the elevator door from closing in case it hurt him.She huffed, "Why are you doing this?"His Adam's apple bobbed and his voice sounded hoarse. "So that you'll remember me.""Jerk!"She released him. "You're only making me hate you more."There was no way she would remember this bastard.Stretching out her arm, she wanted to press the close button. But he stopped the elevator door from closing and entered the elevator. Mia looked at him. "What are you doing?""I'm going to do whatever you do." Timothy primped his necktie while looking into his reflection"Timothy Barrett, are
Mia couldn't believe her eyes. Wasn't Luna supposed to be in prison??Mia clearly remembered that she had sued Luna for stealing the bone marrow, to which Luna was charged with a one-year imprisonment. There was no way Mia would let Luna get away with that after she persuaded Sharon to steal the bone marrow, almost killing Sage. That was why she personally handled the issue.Never in her wildest dream had she expected to see Luna here.Was Mia seeing things? Or was this another woman who looked like Luna?However, that was really Luna's voice. Even the way they spoke was the same.It was really Luna!As an afterthought, Mia turned her head to face Timothy. She pinned him with an interrogating look. "Mind explaining? Why is this woman here?"Did he do something behind the scenes and let Luna out of prison?In fact, Timothy was equally surprised to find Luna here.After all, he was aware that Luna was sued and imprisoned for a year. She should be in jail, not Raymond's r
Raymond frowned. "I can't talk about this. This is my personal matter.""Well, it is your personal matter, but you're joining the election again next year. Here's a piece of advice from me—be careful. Any scandals might pull your votes down. Don't you think so? "Besides, my family has been working with you for so many years. We hope you can continue being the mayor without any problem." Mia worded that way on purpose.Luna obviously looked flustered.Raymond's expression turned solemn too. He nodded. "I will settle the issue as soon as possible. It won't be a problem. And I hope you won't tell this to Mr. Dominic. I can take care of this trivial matter without a problem."She nodded. "Of course, I have faith in you, Mr. Shelbert. If you can't even take care of such a trivial matter, you wouldn't have been able to come this far."A furious Luna looked at Raymond. "What do you mean by that? Are you going to abandon me again?"He sighed, "You do know that I can't be involved in an
Luna continued, "I didn't even know that my biological father was the mayor of Nord City the entire time! My mother only told me the truth on the day she passed on!"Resentment rooted deeply in her. If Raymond had raised her since she was young, she would've had a different identity by now. She wouldn't have needed to suffer so much.Meanwhile, Mia didn't expect Luna to be Raymond's daughter.Mia initially thought that they were having an affair and Asher was their son. Well, anyone would've thought the same.But Luna turned out to be Raymond's daughter! What a surprise!It was no wonder Mia could sense the inherent egoism in Luna. It wasn't common to feel that from an ordinary person; it was contradicting.Now, the reason was revealed.Luna was supposed to be the daughter of the mayor, but she was kept in the dark. After suffering so much, she felt so wronged when she found out the truth.According to Mia's guess, Luna must've gone to Raymond but was rejected, to which Luna
Although Raymond didn't want to acknowledge Luna as his daughter, he felt guilty toward Luna's mother because he didn't fulfill his duty as a parent to their only daughter.Well, he could treat Luna better but not at the expense of his career.However, he didn't expect Luna to lie to him!Despite the slight guilt, she bit the bullet. "It's not fault anyways. It was Mrs. Barrett who orchestrated everything. In the end, I had to take all the blame and go to prison. She was unscathed! "Shouldn't you take responsibility for me instead of doubting me? You're my father, but you haven't done your duty all these years!"Mia watched Luna's little show, which was so realistic that Raymond wavered. He shifted his gaze toward Mia. "Ms. Mia, I think I have to look into this matter first.""So, you're intending to protect your daughter.""I'm not protecting her. I'm trying to find out what happened. If she wasn't the only one to be blamed, she shouldn't take the blame all by herself. Don't
Raymond elaborated, "I've been working with your family for many years. Guess we can say that we're old friends. Ms. Mia, do you really think Dominic has a clean record?"A cold glint glowed in Mia's eyes. Of course, she knew that Dominic didn't have a clean record.After all, their family almost went bankrupt due to various blows after their parents passed on.Dominic was the person stabilizing the company's footing until today. He had it rough.She reckoned he had used many illicit methods in the beginning. After all, business would always be as fierce as war, a war free from blood.Mia had never expected Raymond to use this to threaten her, but she actually had it coming. She threatened him with his position as the mayor.It didn't take her long to regain her composure. Smiling, she responded, "But whatever he does has nothing to do with me.""Ms. Mia, do you really not care about your brothers' reputation? Actually, we can make a deal to make peace.""I refuse.""Think a
However, Mia would never give in.Her tone was cold. "You're underestimating me, Mr. Shelbert. Do you think that the life and death of the Barretts would bother me?""I dared not underestimate you, Ms. Mia. But there's no point for both our families—or even the three families—to be on bad terms because of such a trivial matter. It won't do anything good to us.""So how would you like to settle this?"Raymond suggested, "I know that my daughter is at fault, but I can hand over the project to you to make up for it. For future projects, I will consider your family first. How's that? You won't lose anything from this.""Do you think I need that?""Ms. Mia, if you have other conditions, tell me. I will do my best to fulfill them.""Simple. Let Luna pay for the price." Mia turned around, looking at the bodyguards by the door. "If you insist on not letting me leave the room, I will call Dominic right now. Since you have something over his head, he might as well talk to you personally.
Mia recalled the past of how Sharon misunderstood that Asher was Timothy's son and treated the boy well.It wasn't only Sharon. Mia also assumed that Asher was Timothy's son.After all, she had seen Luna's pictures on Timothy's laptop before. Back then, she thought that Luna was the woman he liked.The truth was completely beyond her imagination.Timothy said, "No, she doesn't know about this. I don't want her to know either.""I understand." She nodded.If Sharon found out the truth, she would be devastated. No woman could tolerate having the child of their husband's illegitimate child staying under the same roof.It was abhorrent.Mia blurted, "Why did you have Luna's picture on your laptop back then? Did you already know that your half-brother was seeing Luna at that time?""When did you use my laptop?" questioned Timothy seriously."Let me explain. I wasn't sneaking or peeking. I had to sketch a design urgently, so I had no choice but to use your laptop in the study. And