The accusation came out of nowhere, leaving Mia feeling helpless. “If I haven’t stepped into the kitchen all day, how could I have had the chance to drug Miss Quinn?” she said calmly. “Just because you didn’t go into the kitchen doesn’t mean you couldn’t bribe someone who did,” Jenna sneered. “When I came over this morning, I saw you and Mrs. Zimmer acting all secretive in the garden. Now that I think about it, you were probably plotting to poison Xena!” “Heavens, Miss Ford! You can’t just make baseless accusations like that!” Mrs. Zimmer exclaimed, panicked. “I’m just a housekeeper. How could I dare poison someone?” “Then what were you and Mia whispering about in the garden this morning?” Jenna pressed, unwilling to let it go. “I…” Mrs. Zimmer glanced at Mia nervously, unsure of how to respond. With Nick and Xena present, she couldn’t possibly repeat the conversation from that morning. “Can’t answer, can you? I knew it! You two are definitely up to something!” Jenna dec
Mia's suggestion to call the police elicited interesting reactions from both Xena and Nick. Xena’s gaze darted nervously, while Nick erupted in anger. “Mia, do you think I wouldn’t dare call the police because I’m unwilling to let you go?!” “No, Nick, I know you would,” Mia silently answered him in her heart. “But your precious Xena won’t let you. She knows her little tricks might fool you, but they won’t fool the police.”If the police were to uncover that the peanut powder was something she added herself, wouldn’t that be incredibly awkward for her?Sure enough, a second later, Xena spoke in her sweet voice. “Nick, don’t do this. Mia is still your wife. You can’t send her to jail because of me.“Besides, I’m fine now, aren’t I? And think about it—if not for Mia, then at least for the Ford family. If the public finds out that your wife went to jail, it would damage the company’s reputation, and Ford Corporation’s stock would surely take a hit.”With Xena’s persuasion, Nick m
After spending a full day and night in bed recovering, Mia had finally regained enough strength to face what lay ahead.Today was the day she would leave. Her flight was at 7 p.m., and once she boarded, she would never come back. As dawn broke, Mia got out of bed and began packing her belongings. She decided to donate everything to a local community center. Among the donated items were all the gifts Nick had given her over the years—clothes, handbags, jewelry and even the wedding ring he had placed on her finger. Anything of value was donated to benefit others, while the less valuable items were tossed into a fire. If she was starting over, she would leave with nothing that tied her to him. By the time she finished, it was already afternoon. Mia glanced at her phone—it was 3 p.m. Just four hours until her flight. She was about to change clothes and head to the airport when Jenna suddenly appeared, blocking her path. “Mia, what are you standing around for? Come
After Mia stormed out of the banquet hall, barely holding herself together, Nick walked in with a large bouquet of roses.“Jenna, why are you here alone? Where’s Mia?” Nick asked, puzzled. “Didn’t I ask you to take her to change into her wedding dress?” Jenna’s expression flickered with guilt. She avoided Nick’s gaze, looking off to the side, but her words were still sharp. “Mia left! She was upset that you’ve been focused entirely on Xena lately and ignoring her, so she stormed out and bailed on the wedding.” Nick frowned, his brows knitting together. “Ran away? Impossible. Mia isn’t the type to do something like that.” He knew Mia too well. She was as gentle and docile as a little white rabbit. She never contradicted anything he said or opposed any decision he made. Sometimes, even Nick himself felt he was too harsh on her, but she always silently endured, understanding and accommodating him with her endless patience and tenderness. Just like two days ago, when he had fo
Xena was on the verge of a breakdown, hysterical and trembling. Nick, however, let out a cold laugh, his demeanor distant and unyielding, like an untouchable king. With a disdainful glance at Xena, he sneered, “Still don’t get it? Everything I’ve done was to get back at you.“There was a time when I loved you more than anything, when I would have given up everything for you. And what did you do? You left me without hesitation for some useless artist abroad. You even blocked me on everything!“Do you have any idea what I went through after you left? Do you know how much I suffered during that time?” At this moment, there was no trace of love left in Nick’s gaze. It was replaced entirely by a deep, festering hatred. “From that moment, I swore I’d make you feel the same pain I went through—multiplied.“When I found out how miserable your life was after your marriage, I can’t tell you how happy it made me. I wanted nothing more than to buy a plane ticket, stand in front of you,
Nick hadn’t shared the details of his “revenge plan” with Jenna. He had only instructed her to take Xena to try on a wedding dress in the morning and then pick up Mia in the afternoon to do the same. Naturally, Jenna assumed that the talk of a fifth wedding anniversary celebration and holding a wedding for Mia was all a ruse. She figured her dear brother was planning to propose to Xena in front of everyone on her birthday, which was why he had called her early in the morning, urging her to take Xena to try on wedding dresses. As for Mia? Jenna assumed Nick was simply planning to humiliate her in front of everyone, forcing her to leave on her own. Thinking this, Jenna decided to add her own touch. She arranged for a bucket of cold water to be placed above the banquet hall door, intending to drench Mia and embarrass her before the crowd. The mix-up with the wedding dresses was also a result of Jenna’s meddling. The dress Mia wore was clearly much more expensive than the
Nick was furious. He shot Jenna a venomous glare. “I’ll deal with you after I find Mia!” With that, he pulled out his phone and dialed Mia’s number. He assumed that a quick phone call and a few coaxing words would be enough to bring Mia back to him, just as gentle and submissive as she had always been before.But to his shock, no matter how many times he called, Mia didn’t pick up. “What’s going on? Mia’s not answering my calls?” Nick frowned, his mind racing. “Could she have forgotten her phone?”It made sense. How would she carry a phone while wearing a wedding dress? In Nick’s eyes, there was no way Mia would intentionally ignore him. The only explanation was that her phone wasn’t with her, which was why she wasn’t answering. Even now, Nick didn’t believe he could truly lose Mia. To him, Mia was like a pet he could summon and dismiss at will. A loyal little creature that depended entirely on its owner. In his mind, Mia’s world revolved around him. No matter how c
After sending his final, threatening message, Nick felt confident. He was sure he had it under control. Mia loved him deeply. He was certain that after reading his messages, she would rush back to the banquet hall. As always, she would lower her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Then she would cautiously apologize, pleading for his forgiveness.The thought gave Nick a sense of satisfaction. Feeling reassured, he decided not to join the search efforts anymore and instead leisurely made his way back to the banquet hall. By then, everyone else was still outside looking for Mia. The hall was empty, except for Xena, who hadn’t left. Seeing her, Nick smirked with disdain. “You’re still here? What, are you hoping to stick around for my wedding with Mia?” Hearing this, Xena suddenly burst into laughter. Whether it was from the overwhelming shock or sheer disbelief, she laughed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. “Ha! Ha! Ha! Nick, you don’t actually think
If this had been in the past, Nick's words might have deeply moved Mia. But now, her heart was indifferent. She felt absolutely nothing.“Do whatever you want,” she said coldly before turning and walking away. True to his word, Nick began pursuing Mia with relentless determination. He sent her bouquets of roses every day and frequently delivered extravagant gifts—jewelry, designer goods, anything he thought might win her over. But the flowers were left unclaimed, and the gifts were all returned. Even so, Nick refused to give up. When gifts failed, he resorted to dramatic gestures. On a snowy night, he stood outside her apartment building, holding up a speaker blasting love songs, his lips turning blue from the cold. And Mia? She calmly closed the window. Meanwhile, Mia continued dating James. Nick often caught sight of her getting into James’s car, sharing candlelit dinners, or watching movies together. Some nights, she didn’t even return home, staying instead
After quietly listening to everything Nick had to say, Mia responded calmly, her tone steady but firm. “Nick, we’re divorced. There’s no way I’m going back with you.“My feelings for you were completely worn down by your constant neglect and mistreatment. I stopped loving you a long time ago. So, go back by yourself. I don’t need you in my life anymore, and I won’t be a part of yours.”Her simple yet resolute words shattered Nick completely. His eyes burned with desperation. “No! Divorce? I don’t agree!” he shouted, his voice raw. “That divorce agreement was a trick. You made me sign it without even letting me read it!“It doesn’t count! We’re still married! You can’t leave me! You can’t!” Nick spiraled into madness, gripping Mia’s arm with frenzied force, yelling like a man possessed. Mia struggled against him, but his grip was unrelenting. Suddenly, he dragged her toward his car, intent on forcing her inside. Just as things were about to take a dangerous turn, a tall, com
James, naturally concerned, wasn’t comfortable letting Mia go alone. “I’ll take you home,” he offered, standing up alongside her.“There’s no need!” Mia quickly refused, her voice flustered. “I… I’ll manage on my own.”Although their relationship had not been officially defined, the number of dates they had gone on would definitely be considered dating back in her home country. Mia had no interest in dealing with the drama of a confrontation between her ex and her potential new partner!Despite James insisting on accompanying her, Mia stood her ground. Eventually, she hailed a cab and went home alone.As Mia stepped out of the car, her eyes immediately landed on Nick, standing under the streetlight, quietly smoking a cigarette.Nick saw her almost at the same moment. His face lit up with excitement, and he called out, “Mia!”Dropping the cigarette he hadn’t finished, Nick rushed toward her. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, his voice trembling with emotion. “Thank God… Thank
After arriving in Merika, Nick wasted no time locating the venue where Mia’s art exhibition had been held. From there, he went store by store along the street, asking anyone who might know her whereabouts. By nightfall, his persistence paid off. Someone finally provided him with Mia’s current address.Grateful beyond words, Nick wasted no time heading to the address. He had imagined Mia, alone in a foreign country, living in a rundown apartment. But when he arrived, he was stunned to find an opulent mansion in an upscale neighborhood. A property of this caliber in such a location must have cost millions.“How could Mia afford to live in a place like this?” Nick frowned, unsure if he had the right address. Despite his doubts, he knocked on the door.It was Zoe who answered. She hadn’t met Nick before, so her initial demeanor was friendly. “Hello, can I help you?”“I’m looking for Erin Ivano,” Nick replied. “Her name is Mia Larson. I heard she lives here.”“Oh, you’re a friend of
During the months Mia had been missing, Nick was consumed by his desperate search for her. A workaholic who once valued the Ford Corporation more than his own life, he had now abandoned the company entirely, throwing himself into an obsessive quest to find her. His fixation on Mia bordered on madness. No amount of reasoning could dissuade him, nor did his parents' scolding deter him. He no longer cared about anything or anyone else. He just wanted to see Mia again, even if only for a moment. Ironically, Nick had always despised art, particularly painting. His disdain stemmed from Xena's marriage to a foreign artist years ago. But after learning that Mia had majored in fine arts in college, his aversion disappeared. He began to immerse himself in art-related news, hoping to learn more about the subject. His aim was simple. When he found Mia, he wanted to show her he had made an effort to understand and embrace what she loved. “Mia, today marks the 151st day since you left. W
Mia’s art exhibition was a resounding success. On the day of the event, the gallery was bustling with socialites and prominent figures. Zoe had also invited several media outlets to cover the event and create a buzz. As a result, the exhibition quickly made its way into the arts sections of major news platforms. One journalist even described Mia as “a rising star in the art world.”“That journalist is spot on!” Zoe exclaimed as she scrolled through her phone, reading the glowing reviews. She turned to Mia with pride written all over her face. “Our Mia is so talented! Every painting is vivid and deeply moving. You really are a rising star in the art world.”Mia couldn’t help but laugh, though she felt a little overwhelmed by the praise.It seemed like a cultural difference. In this country, people rarely criticized children. Instead, they lavished them with praise, even when they made mistakes. Parents here would start by acknowledging their child’s bravery or honesty before gent
The art exhibition was a resounding success. Mia showcased 51 paintings, and by the end of the first day, 33 had already been sold. Most fetched prices between $10,000 and $50,000, but the five purchased by James were in a league of their own, with each selling for an astounding $500,000.“Can you believe James paid ten times the price for your paintings?” Zoe teased Mia as she tallied up the exhibition's income and expenses that evening. “Mia, do you think he’s interested in you?”“Of course not.” Mia, completely focused on the financials, brushed off the remark without a second thought. “He’s probably just a flirt who can’t resist sweet-talking young women.”Zoe’s eyes widened in disbelief, her expression completely shocked. “Are you kidding me? James is practically legendary in his circles as the unattainable ideal. His personal life is spotless. He’s never been linked to questionable women, and he never brings a date to any major events.”“Really?” Mia finally looked up from
Mia was momentarily stunned. She had assumed James to be the type of aloof, stoic businessman who rarely cracked a smile. She hadn’t expected that he actually had a sense of humor.“Then should I thank you for complimenting me earlier?” Mia couldn't help but chuckle. Seeing her smile, James's brows lifted slightly, a faint grin spreading across his face. “You finally smiled.”Mia froze for a moment, her cheeks warming with a light blush. “I... I thought I’d been smiling all along.”She had maintained a polite smile ever since Zoe had introduced her. A smile was the most basic social courtesy, something she had learned despite her modest upbringing and limited interactions with high society.“You were,” James replied, his deep gaze fixed on hers, carrying a faint warmth. “But that was just a polite smile. Now, this is a genuine, happy smile.” Mia’s heart fluttered at his words. How strange. They had only just met, yet it felt as though he could see through her every expressi
James Hawthorne had purchased five of Mia’s paintings at the impressive price of half a million dollars each. With such a significant patron, it was only right for Mia to personally thank him.Accompanied by Zoe, Mia approached James.“Mr. Hawthorne, it’s been a while,” Zoe greeted him warmly, clearly familiar with the man. “I never expected someone as busy as you to take time out of your day to support my niece.”James offered a faint smile. “It just so happens I had the day off.”Zoe gestured toward Mia with pride. “This is my niece, Mia Larson. She’s an exceptionally talented artist, and all the pieces in this exhibition were created by her.”Mia blushed at the praise and spoke modestly. “Aunt Zoe, you’re exaggerating. I just paint whatever comes to mind.”“You have remarkable talent,” James said, turning slightly to gaze at a landscape painting behind him. His voice carried a calm authority as he remarked, “Take this one, for example. Though it depicts mountains and uses warm