Jasmine hadn't expected to run into Luna at the mall while she was just out shopping. She had investigated Luna's background and knew what she looked like, so she recognized her at first sight.This world could be a really small place at times.Seeing Jasmine's reaction, Luna strutted over with a smirk. "So, you know me. It seems you're quite interested in me."Luna had heard that Raymond's family had heard rumors and had been secretly investigating her. There had even been a confrontation. She thought it was Raymond's wife who had found out, but it turned out to be Raymond's daughter.Well, that was even better.Dissatisfied with her current treatment, she wanted to have the same treatment as Raymond's daughter. Only then would it be fair. Jasmine's face turned pale. She was caught off guard as she hadn't expected to meet Luna face-to-face so soon.Jasmine snorted. "Your lackey has the same character as you. Indeed, the dog takes after its owner."The follower was immedia
Jasmine thought that her father, Raymond, certainly wouldn't divorce her mother to marry such a young mistress.Luna's expression instantly darkened. "What right do you have to say that to me? If it weren't for your mother being the mistress and taking Mr. Shelbert away back then, I wouldn't be living this kind of life. Everything you have should've been mine.""Ridiculous. What a joke! You say my mother took Mr. Shelbert away, but clearly you're the one being the third party now, trying to compete with me for my father," Jasmine remarked. She found Luna's words a bit odd.After hearing this, Luna raised her eyebrows and looked at Mia. "Looks like you haven't told her the truth. You only misled her into thinking I'm Mr. Shelbert's mistress, huh?" Jasmine, somewhat puzzled, looked at both of them. "Do you know each other?"Luna smiled and replied, "I would say we know each other pretty well."Jasmine looked at Mia. "What is this woman saying? What's her relationship with my dad?"
Jasmine didn't believe her. "Nonsense! I'll tear your mouth apart!""My mother only found out that she was pregnant after they broke up. She kept me in the dark for years, and she only told me who my biological father was on her deathbed. If she really intended to use me to threaten him, she would've revealed this secret a long time ago."Luna had resented her mother back then for not telling her that she was Raymond's biological daughter. She wouldn't have had to struggle for so long had she returned to Raymond's side sooner. Jasmine retorted, "You're just making things up. Your mother must've been rejected by my dad back then, so she had no choice but to give birth to you. She wanted to threaten my dad with you, but she failed. So, she slunk away and raised you elsewhere. Your mother only made up this story to deceive you—she's a shrewd woman, indeed."Jasmine refused to believe that Luna's mother didn't want anything in return after giving birth to Raymond's child. "Shut up!
No wonder Raymond was so protective of Luna—she had a son, an heir. Jasmine grew even more infuriated. "You're shameless! He's just an illegitimate child. He has nothing to do with our family!""I gave birth to him, and that makes him a Shelbert after he changes his surname. Dad has yearned for a son over the years, and now he's finally had a grandson. Isn't that much better than not having a son?"In fact, Luna also didn't expect Raymond to agree to bail her out of prison just to adopt her child. She got lucky, indeed. She continued, "Moreover, the child's father isn't someone insignificant. He's capable of assisting the Shelberts. Don't you think Dad will value me more?""What a joke. If the child's father is as affluent as you claim to be, you wouldn't have struggled for so many years. He's merely a child of a poor man."Luna raised her brows and asked Mia, "Why don't you ask Ms. Lane over here who the father of my son is? Is he really some poor, unknown man?"Jasmine was m
In truth, Jasmine wasn't even that interested in bags. Luxurious bags like these were within her reach since she was young. However, she didn't feel like letting the bag go to Luna. That bitch came back to take her father away from her, and she even had the audacity to wrest their family's property away. She simply wouldn't allow it. Luna smirked and produced a card. "Sorry, but I have a VIP membership card. I have the priority to purchase anything in the store first. As for you, I heard that Mr. Shelbert didn't give his children too many privileges to set a good impression on the public and to teach you some morals. That means you don't have a VIP card, right?"Luna had won this time.Jasmine's face flushed with anger. Indeed, she didn't have a VIP membership card. Still, she could've just used her mother's card if she wanted to buy anything. However, she hadn't expected Raymond to get a VIP membership card for Luna. She felt humiliated. Looking at Luke, Luna stated, "I shou
Mia smirked. "Luna, you might've become a premium VIP, but you still don't understand what it takes to become one. You can't just call and demand for these limited edition bags, even as a premium VIP. Do you know why?"Luna was clueless. But she didn't want to appear weak in her response. Jasmine seized the chance to chime in, "Premium VIPs are ranked according to their spending. If both VIPs desire the same bag, the higher-ranked VIP is prioritized to purchase the bag. It hasn't been long since you owned this card, has it? Have you spent anywhere close to one million dollars yet?"Jasmine's taunts rendered Luna speechless. Based on her recent spending, she probably spent only around a few hundred thousand dollars. She didn't have much allowance, after all. Seeing Luna's change in expression, Jasmine continued to add insult to the injury. "Mia is different though. She's one of the highest ranking VIPs on their list, as she spends nearly a few million dollars each time. Having spe
"You know Luna is related to the Barretts as well, right? My ex-husband is the CEO of Barrett Group, and the Barretts thought Luna's son was Timothy's son. She'd been staying with the Barretts before she returned to Nord City. She’s also hell-bent on having Asher take over the Barrett family.""How dare she?""She's very ambitious. That's why I've had conflicts with her before, and I wanted to get rid of her through you."Understanding her intentions, Jasmine murmured gloomily, "But my dad has already decided to groom that child into his successor. What can I do? Just because I'm not a boy, all my efforts meant nothing to my father no matter how hard I try.""You can't give up just yet. You need to pull yourself together for your mother's sake. Not only is Luna very ambitious and resourceful, she's even willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve her goals. If you're not careful, you and your mother might end up gaining nothing at all. Both of you might even be in deep waters by th
Jasmine fell silent. As the silence stretched on, Mia continued, "Promise your father that you'll take the child back to your family. But at the same time, you need to talk to your mother and your grandmother's side of the family. Say that you're willing to let this child stay in your family, and you'll educate him properly. Both of you will support each other and inherit everything in the family.""My grandmother won't agree to this. She'll surely demand justice for my mother," Jasmine said."I know your grandma adores you. However, you can make a secret deal with her. Put on an act and let your grandma scold you. This is a great opportunity for you."Jasmine was perplexed. "I still don't quite understand.""Your father will think that you're on his side after you do this. It'll seem like you betrayed your grandmother's side for the sake of his benefit. So, he will side with you and Luna won't have the chance to sow discord between you two."Then, you should seize the opportuni
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,