Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
He immediately called his assistant. “Mia Bowen’s been taken away by a helicopter. Find out where she’s gone.”
“Do you care about her so much, Tim? She’s betrayed you and left with another man,” Maya said.
Timothy frowned. “Shut up. I just want to explain this to Grandma. Mia’s life and death means nothing to me.”
Maya gnashed her teeth angrily but didn’t dare say anything else. She’d almost forgotten how much Laura adored Mia.
From the helicopter, Mia admired the city’s night scenery. Her lips curved upward in a small smile. She was finally free.
Half an hour later, they landed at a seven-star hotel.
Mia got out of the helicopter to see two rows of dark-suited bodyguards standing on either side of her. They said in unison, “Welcome home, Ms. Mia!”
This startled Mia. Wasn’t this a little too much?
She saw two people standing at the end of the two rows. One was Patricia, and the other was a handsome, serious-looking man in a dark suit.
Was that her brother? Hadn’t Patricia mentioned she had three brothers and three cousins?
“Oh, Mia, you’re finally here.” Patricia hurried forward to hug her. “I bet you’ve been through a lot with your husband’s family. It’s good that you’re getting a divorce now, especially since your family has found you. We can start over.”
Mia nodded, her eyes turning red. “Okay.”
“C’mon, let me introduce you. This is your oldest brother, Dominic Lane.”
Mia looked at the handsome man who approached her. He looked like an elite-the frostiness and arrogance in his being were exactly like Timothy’s. There was something about him that made him seem naturally daunting.
Dominic took in Mia’s petite frame. She was much too skinny, and she didn’t look like she was in the best of health. His heart twisted painfully; he was at a loss for words despite his usual eloquence.
Mia waited for a while, then said awkwardly, “Um, hi. Nice to meet you.”
Dominic felt even worse when he heard how distant she sounded. Was she blaming him?
He usually dominated the business world. But at this moment, he asked tentatively, “Is there anything you wish for right now?”
Mia looked confused. “Anything I wish for?”
“Or is there anything you want to do?” (1)
Mia lowered her eyes. “I want to go home.”
Dominic slowly clenched his fist. Home? She probably meant her home in this city.
If not for him losing her all those years ago, she wouldn’t have led such a tough life.
At this moment. Patricia tugged at Mia. “We’re in no rush to do that. The rest of your brothers and cousins are on their way here, so you can head home after you’ve met them. Home is where your family is, right?”
Dominic gave Patricia a grateful look. If not for her love and care for Mia, Mia’s life would’ve been even tougher. He said respectfully, “I’ve already booked us rooms here. Let’s have dinner at the restaurant.”
Mia walked together with Patricia as Dominic led the way. She noticed he wasn’t much of a talker and seemed rather unapproachable. Still, he seemed to be quite rich!
They headed downstairs from the hotel’s rooftop. The place was lavishly decorated; Mia had never been somewhere like this before.
Dominic’s heart twisted painfully at the thought of the old, rundown apartment Mia was going to return to.
She looked at him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. There’s just something in my eye. Mia, do you want to move somewhere else?” Dominic had prepared several homes. He had to pick the grandest villa possible for Mia!
She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m happy with my old home. That’s where I grew up; no villa can compare to it. I wouldn’t swap it for the world.”
Dominic swallowed the words that were about to roll off his tongue. It made sense, really. He was the one who’d lost Mia all those years ago, and he hadn’t fulfilled even a single one of his duties as her older brother.
This was why she wasn’t interested in staying in the villas he had.
He said gently, “Alright, then. We’ll go with whatever you want.”
If Mia could stay there, so could he. He decided to stand by her no matter what.
Maybe he could buy the whole building, then evacuate the other units so they could have some maids stay with them. That way, they could serve Mia at any time.
It sounded like a perfect plan.
As they arrived at the lobby, Dominic glanced at his phone. “Mia, I’m getting a call from my wife. You guys can head over to the restaurant and take your seats.”
He walked to one side and answered the call. A woman’s bright and jovial voice rang out on the other end of the line. “Honey, I’ve brought a stack of deeds, some pearls that I’ve treasured over the years, limited- edition bags, and your brothers’ favorite cars. We can see what your sister likes.”
Dominic sighed. “I think we’ll have to set those aside for now.”
“Why?”
“Mia’s not as easily coaxed as I thought. Or at least, she can’t be persuaded with money!”
“I told you so, Dominic Lane. I told you to wait for me, but you insisted on heading over earlier to pick her up. Do you think that mouth of yours is capable of spouting nice things? You guys have lost Mia for so many
??
“She must be resentful of you, and you aren’t the best at explaining things. Your presence there doesn’t do anything!”
Dominic rubbed his forehead. “What should I do now?”
He’d just been too anxious. It just so happened that he’d been in the city for a business trip, so he’d hurried over as quickly as possible.
“What else can you do? You’ve already ruined things. It looks like a pitiful act is the only thing that can save you now.”
“What pitiful act?”
“I don’t know. Think about it yourself. Whatever it is, don’t let Mia know that while she’s been suffering, you and your brothers have been enjoying life.”
On the other hand, Mia and Patricia headed to the restaurant.
Patricia felt awkward. She said lowly, “Your brother seems to be really rich. I guess that means you won’t have to suffer anymore.”
“Things aren’t so straightforward with people from rich families, Aunt Patricia. I don’t even know why I was abandoned. I might just be getting out of the frying pan and into the fire,” Mia said.
“Hush, don’t say that! A fortune teller once said you’d live a wonderful life.”
Mia linked arms with Patricia. “Since he sent the helicopter to pick me up, I’m guessing that means he knows about me and Timothy.”
“No, he doesn’t. I told him you were working part-time at the villa. I knew you didn’t want to publicize your relationship with Timothy, so I didn’t tell anyone.”
Mia sighed in relief. That was good.
Suddenly, her adoptive parents, Mary Lancaster and Bob Bowen, burst out of nowhere and started yelling at her. “You’re a heartless ingrate, Mia Bowen! 1
“You used to be an unwanted orphan; we were kind enough to take you into our home. But now, you’ve found your rich family, and you want to rid yourself of us. We’re your saviors, you know!”
The smile on Mia’s face faded at the sight of Bob and Mary. “I can’t believe you guys have the nerve to say you’re my saviors. When I almost starved to death in your home, Aunt Patricia was the one who gave me a bite to eat. Ultimately, you even forced her to raise me.”
Patricia was surprised. “How did you guys find this place? I didn’t tell anyone about this.”
Mary put her hands on her hips. “How can you say that, Patricia? We’re Mia’s adoptive parents, but you’re trying to take the credit. Dream on if you think you’re getting away with that!”
Bob spat on the floor. “Exactly. Where is her family? They must be rich since they can afford to stay in such an expensive hotel. We have to make them compensate us.”
They hadn’t expected a child they’d picked up randomly to come from such a wealthy family. They’d struck the jackpot!
Mia shielded Patricia behind her as she looked at Bob and Mary coldly. “You’re the ones who can dream on. I won’t give you a dime. Uncle James got into a fight because of you guys and ended up in that accident.
“If not for you guys refusing to pay your debts and delaying the treatment time, Uncle James wouldn’t be comatose in the hospital.”
Patricia’s eyes were red when Mia finished her sentence. If not for the circumstances, Mia wouldn’t have agreed to marry Timothy, who was on the brink of death, to pay James’ hospital bill.
Bob felt a little diffident, but Mary remained stubborn. She wanted to get physical with Mia. “This is mutiny. you bitch. I have to teach you a lesson!”
“Who dares lay a hand on my sister?” A sharp voice rang out.
Dominic strode over while exuding a terrifying air. A group of bodyguards followed him.
Bob and Mary were frightened by this. Mary shrunk back, saying, “I’m teaching my daughter a lesson. What does that have to do with you?”
Dominic’s expression was frosty. “She’s my sister. When has she ever been your daughter?”
Bob’s eyes lit up with greed, and he rubbed his hands together. “So, you’re Mia’s family? It wasn’t easy for us to raise her, so you should be compensating us for that, right? If not for us, she would’ve starved to death ages ago.”
“How much do you want?”
“Not too much, really. A million dollars!”
Mary gave him a look and immediately said, “Five million dollars.”
Dominic clucked his tongue. “Only five million dollars? She’s worth at least 100 million dollars!”
Who were they trying to insult by demanding five million dollars? This was his sister they were talking about!