Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Sharon scoffed. She wholeheartedly agreed with Shelly. Due to her daughter-in-law’s low social status, she had been the brunt of the other wealthy women’s jokes for years now.
Yet, Timothy never did anything about it. It took him three years before he decided to file for a divorce.
Mia chuckled. Her gaze was mocking as she retorted, “Do you think Grandma has never seen these things before? She never cared about superficial things and isn’t materialistic.”
Then, she looked at the maid and said, “I’ll prepare one of Grandma’s favorite soups for her.”
“That’s wonderful. Mrs. Barrett Senior hasn’t had much of an appetite lately, but she enjoys your cooking very much.”
Mia went to the kitchen. She didn’t want to entertain the three women in the living room anymore.
Out of everyone in the Barrett family, Laura was the only one who was nice to her, so she didn’t want to start a major conflict with anyone. It’d only put Laura in a difficult position.
Mia stayed in the kitchen alone to prepare a healthy soup for Laura.
She was still pondering how she was going to tell Laura about the divorce.
Moments later, Maya entered the kitchen. She walked up to Mia and said, “Mia, do you think making some soup for Mrs. Barrett Senior is enough for you to convince her to stand up for you?
“I’ll let you in on something. I’ve hired a renowned and highly acclaimed cardiovascular surgeon to perform surgery for Mrs. Barrett Senior. As long as the surgery succeeds, I’m sure she won’t object to Tim and me getting married.”
Even though Dominic and Connor hadn’t agreed to Maya’s request, she was sure she could convince Connor to operate on Laura.
She believed that once she saved that old hag’s life, the latter would’ve no reason to stop her from marrying Timothy anymore.
Mia knew that Laura had been living with a heart condition for some time now, but they had failed to find a suitable person to perform the surgery.
Well, Mia figured things were better this way. At the very least, Laura could regain her health.
Mia stood up from the stool and said, “Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance. I hope you two will have a big family with lots of kids, even if they all end up being half-siblings. Now, please get out of my way.”
Maya’s eyes darkened. How dare Mia talk back to her?
Maya reached out to shove the pot off the stove, and it began tipping over in Mia’s direction.
“Watch out!”
A man rushed into the kitchen. Mia turned around and saw Timothy, but he ran over to Maya to protect her.
At the very next second, the boiling soup splattered all over Mia’s hand, but she didn’t feel the pain coming from it-it couldn’t compete with the pain in her heart.
Mia quickly used cold water to soothe her skin. While doing so, Maya’s coquettish voice rang in her ears. “Tim, my hand got scalded. It hurts so much. But please don’t blame Mia. I don’t think she did it on purpose.”
Upon hearing this, Mia’s eyes flashed mockingly. She didn’t even bother turning around to defend herself.
At the very next second, Timothy yanked her on the arm. “Mia! I didn’t expect you to be such a-“
Timothy caught sight of Mia’s hand. It was red and blistered.
Pursing his lips, he couldn’t finish his sentence.
Mia looked up at him. “You didn’t expect what from me?”
“Mia! I didn’t expect you to be such a vicious woman! How dare you hurt Ms. Lane on purpose?”
Sharon hurried into the kitchen. When she saw Maya clutching her wrist, she didn’t even bother to ask what happened before she raised her hand to slap Mia.
Mia’s gaze turned scornful. Just as she was about to dodge the slap, a pair of hands shielded her.
She stared at Timothy in shock. His arms had kept Sharon away from her. She never thought he would help her.
Mia wasn’t alone in that. No one else expected it, either.
Sharon was a little annoyed. “Tim, don’t stop me from teaching her a lesson!”
Timothy’s expression was a little chilly. “The pot fell by accident.”
“Are you sure it was an accident?” Sharon clearly didn’t believe that.
Meanwhile, Maya clenched her jaw. Why did Timothy actually believe it was an accident?
Still, she quickly said pitifully, “It was really just an accident, Mrs. Barrette. Mia didn’t push the pot off the stove on purpose. After all, she got injured, too.”
However, Mia calmly stated, “No. It wasn’t an accident. Maya had shoved the pot off the stove. She did it on purpose!”
All at once, sparks seemed to fly in the kitchen.
Mia raised her head high and met Timothy’s gaze in defiance. She had signed the divorce papers anyway, so why did she have to bother putting up with such things?
She wasn’t a pushover!
Timothy’s eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at Maya and said, “What on earth happened?”
Panicked, Maya defended herself, “I really didn’t push the pot off, Tim.”
Mia pointed at the security camera in the kitchen. “Just check the footage. Everyone will know what happened then.
“According to the law, assault is punishable with up to three years of jail time. The wound on my hand is severe enough to require medical attention. I deserve the right to press charges.”
Maya gasped. Flustered, she glanced at the security camera. She didn’t expect there to be one in the kitchen.
She was done for.
“Let’s check the security footage,” Timothy agreed with an icy expression.
Maya hastily said to Sharon, “It was really just an accident, Mrs. Barrett. I just wanted to help serve the soup, but I was so clumsy that I ended up knocking the pot over.
“Ms. Bowen and I both got injured because of me. I really didn’t mean to do that.”
“Of course, I believe you, Ms. Lane. After all, you’re a young woman from a wealthy family. When have you ever had to do these kinds of chores?” Sharon said.
“Plus, who knows if Mia’s just pretending to be hurt just so she could frame you? I’ll get the family doctor to check on your injury right away. It wouldn’t do for a young heiress like you to get a scar.”
Maya exhaled in relief. Just as she was about to leave the kitchen, she looked at Timothy and called out, “Tim.
Timothy noticed Mia’s injured hand. His gaze darkened as he said, “Go to the living room, everyone. Tell the family doctor to come over at once.”
“That’s right, Tim,” Sharon piped up. “Get the family doctor to come over at once to take a look at Ms. Lane’s hand. That’s the most important thing right now.”
Mia’s eyes flashed with mockery. Her hand was stinging with pain, but indeed, to Timothy, nothing mattered more than Maya.
After following them into the living room, she looked at Timothy and said, “Remember to check the security footage to clear my name.”
She wasn’t going to drop this matter so easily.
Soon, Ivan Levin, the Barretts’ family doctor, rushed over.
Timothy looked at the blisters on the back of Mia’s hand. His gaze darkened as he barked at Mia, “Why are you just standing there? Sit down!”
Mia moved toward the couch, but Sharon shoved her aside. “Stop getting in the way. Quick, Dr. Levin. Take a look at Maya’s hand. We wouldn’t want her wound to leave a scar.”
Sitting on the couch, Maya glanced smugly at Mia.
Mia stood rooted in her spot. It was as if she didn’t care at all. Timothy took a quick look at her but didn’t say anything.
Ivan set down his medical bag and started to inspect Maya’s wrist. All he found was a bit of redness. There wasn’t even a cut on her skin.
With a complicated look on his face, Ivan said, “I don’t think I need to check on her.”
“How can you say that? What if her injury worsens because it didn’t get treated on time? Are you sure you can take responsibility for that kind of mistake?” Sharon reprimanded.
Ivan adjusted his glasses before replying, “Her skin would heal in just half an hour. Ms. Mia is the one who needs immediate medical attention. If her injury is left unchecked, it’ll leave a scar.”
In an instant, the living room fell silent.
Maya was dissatisfied, but she said reluctantly, “Let the doctor check on her first, Mrs. Barrett. It’s fine. I’m not in a hurry.”
“What do you mean you’re not in a hurry?” Sharon exclaimed. “She’s just a poor orphan. How can she compare to you?
“So what if she gets a scar? It’s not like she’s dying. It’s different for you. If you get a scar, your brothers will think we abused you.”
Maya smiled and assured Sharon, “I won’t tell my brothers, Mrs. Barrett.”
Sharon immediately exhaled in relief. Then, she glared at Mia. “You heard that? Ms. Lane is kind enough not to hold this against you. Hurry up and thank her!”
Mia coolly retorted, “I didn’t push her. On the contrary, she’s the one who injured me on purpose! She’s the one who should be apologizing!” 1
“How dare you try to twist things around, Mia? Who else could’ve done it if not you?” Sharon screeched.
“A woman with a background like you would be jealous of Ms. Lane because she comes from a wealthy family. It makes perfect sense for you to try and hurt her on purpose.
“I’ve seen such tricks many times before. I demand that you apologize to Ms. Lane right this instant!”
Upon hearing Sharon’s mocking remarks, Timothy frowned. “Mom, I told you the pot must’ve fallen by accident. We haven’t even seen the security footage yet.”