Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“I would think so, but we’re definitely offering the best conditions. No one should be able to say no to that. I’m guessing someone’s going for the personal approach. After all, no one knows why exactly she disappeared three years ago.”
“Disappeared three years ago?” Timothy glanced at Mia’s Instagram post. Could it really be that coincidental?
The following day, Dominic and Eya arrived with plenty of gifts for Mia.
Eva said, “Mia, these are some of Nord City’s local specialties. Congratulations on getting into the finals!”
Dominic said cautiously, “You mentioned something about three years upon three years in your Instagram post, Mia. Did you participate in this competition three years ago?”
Mia nodded, “Yeah, but there were too many things going on at home at the time. I didn’t have time to prepare any designs for the finals, so I had to drop out halfway.”
Dominic didn’t expect to have been so close to Mia three years ago. It was too bad he hadn’t managed to track her down back then.
Patricia wiped her tears. “It’s all our fault for troubling Mia. If not for what happened to us three years ago, she wouldn’t have-” 1
Mia cut her off. “It’s all in the past now.”
Dominic’s expression shifted as he watched them. “What happened three years ago?”
“Three years ago, Uncle James got into an accident and needed a huge sum for his treatment. I quit the competition to work as a carer at a wealthy family.” Mia didn’t want to tell Dominic that she’d married Timothy.
Liam said, “The awards ceremony is next week, right? Let’s go get you something to wear for it, Mia.”
When it came to walking the red carpet and attending events, no one had more experience than him.
Mia nodded.
Dominic sighed to himself. The Lane family organized the Fleur International Design Competition, so he couldn’t show himself for the time being. He didn’t want to expose his identity and have Mia detest him. He had no choice but to allow Liam to go with Mia.
However, Dominic and Liam had some work to attend to the following day. Mia could only have Eva accompany her to the mall.
When they arrived at the mall, Mia looked around and saw that the products offered were extremely expensive. She tugged on Eva’s sleeve and said, “The brands at this mall are all priced exorbitantly. Let’s go to another one.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mia. I have a friend working here; I can have her pick out a discounted evening gown for you. Look, this is your first time attending an awards ceremony. You have to look good for it!”
Mia still wanted to leave, but Eva dragged her inside and made a beeline to a Chanel store.
Shelly had just finished her beauty treatment when she saw Mia entering the mall. She followed Mia into the mall with a branded bag dangling from her arm.
Then, she said arrogantly, “I can’t believe you’re here, Mia. The clothes here cost several thousand dollars, you know. With your family background, do you really think you can afford anything here?”
Eva said calmly, “It’s just an evening gown. Why wouldn’t we be able to afford it?”
She thought nothing of the money she’d be spending today. In Nord City, she’d never even had to look at the price tag when shopping. She’d just buy whatever she wanted.
Before bringing Mia here, Eva had already spoken to the salespeople in the Chanel store. Where had Shelly suddenly popped up from? She was so rude-mocking Mia for not being able to afford an evening gown.
Eva knew what Dominic, Liam, and their brothers were like. If not for the fact that they wanted to keep a low profile in front of Mia, they probably would’ve reserved the whole mall.
Shelly doubled over with laughter. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. This isn’t some farmer’s market that you country hicks go to where things cost less than a hundred dollars, you know.
“This high-class mall was specially built with the wealthy in mind. Peasants like you don’t even deserve to come here-it’s not like you can afford any of the things here.”
Mia shot to her feet. “You’d better watch your mouth, Shelly.”
Shelly could say whatever she wanted about her, but Mia wouldn’t allow her to say anything about Eva.
Upon hearing Shelly’s name, Eva knew who it was. She just knew every member of the Barrett family was as despicable as the last!
At this moment, a salesperson came over with a few evening gowns. “Ladies, I’ve picked out a few suitable evening gowns.”
Shelly glanced at the gowns, then said disdainfully, “Why are you buying evening gowns, Mia? Don’t tell me you’re attending the awards ceremony next week.”
Mia looked calm. “Yes, I am. Do you have something to say about it?”
“Maybe you’re not aware of this, but people who don’t get through to the final round don’t get to attend the ceremony. Oh, but that doesn’t apply to wealthy people like me; we have special invites. No one else can attend, you know.”
Shelly didn’t even need to think to know that Mia wouldn’t make it to the finals.
Eva stood up and clucked her tongue. “Whoever said anything about Mia not getting through to the finals? She’s unlike certain people, who got disqualified after she was caught paying someone to do up some designs for her.”
As the wife of the organizing company’s president, she knew all about these things.
Shelly looked a little diffident. “What nonsense are you spouting?”
How did Eva know about that?
Mia didn’t expect to hear about something like that. She pulled out her phone to show Shelly her invitation. “Take a good look at this-I’m attending the awards ceremony because my capabilities got me to where I am.
“I’m not like some people who only know how to pull strings and buy their way in because they don’t have any skills to back themselves up.”
Shelly’s blood boiled. She hadn’t expected Mia to make it to the finals. She looked at the evening gowns the salesperson held. “Hey, you. Wrap all three of those dresses up for me.”
The salesperson looked conflicted. Shelly’s expression darkened. “Did you not hear me? Wrap those dresses up for me. Don’t you know who I am?”
“Yes, Ms. Barrett.”
“Hold it!” Eva stopped the salesperson. “We came first.”
Shelly laughed derisively. “So what? It’s not like you can afford them. Why are you trying to make yourself seem better than you are?”
“Whoever told you that we can’t afford them? Swipe my card.” Eva pulled out a credit card and placed it in the salesperson’s hand. “Go on.”
She’d never been on the receiving end of such scorn in her life. No one in Nord City would dare accuse her of not being able to afford something!
“Wait a minute.” Mia took the credit card from the salesperson and looked at Eva. “I haven’t even tried those gowns on yet; there’s no need to buy them. Let’s look at some others.”
Eva had only acted in a fit of rage because she didn’t want to take Shelly’s mockery lying down. Since Mia had stopped her, she didn’t insist.
Mia linked arms with her and dragged her over to another corner to check out the dresses there. But whenever something caught their attention, Shelly would immediately say, “Wrap that up for me.”
Mia’s eyes gleamed. She walked over to the bags. As soon as she picked one up,
Shelly ran over to her. “Wrap this up for me, too!”
Eva couldn’t stand it anymore. She glared at Shelly. “Are you doing this on purpose?”
“Yes, I am. I want some people to see what a disparity in wealth is like! Don’t shop here if you can’t afford it!”
Mia stopped Eva from doing anything. Then, she checked out several more bags and dresses. She only stopped after going through more than half of the store’s offerings.
“What, had enough already?” Shelly looked smug.
Mia looked at the salesperson. “Look at all the things Ms. Barrett has decided to buy.
Why don’t you settle the bill now? After all, Ms. Barrett is rich and generous. She wouldn’t go back on her word and refuse to buy the things, nor would she return the items at a later date.”
The salesperson was so agitated that she could barely keep a hold of the things in her hands. How much of a commission would she earn from this deal?
It was only at this moment that Shelly realized she’d picked out too many things.
After all, she’d only been thinking about snatching the things that Mia was interested in so she could humiliate Mia. She didn’t expect Mia to pull a fast one on her.
Shelly looked at the small pile of clothes, bags, and shoes. Many of them weren’t to her liking, and she couldn’t help wincing at the thought of having to spend money on them. She said angrily, “You did this on purpose, Mia!”
Mia leaned against an empty rack. “Yeah, I did. If you can’t afford them, why make yourself seem better than you are?”
She’d told Shelly the exact words that Shelly had said to her earlier.
Eva burst into laughter. She thought Mia would get bullied, but it seemed Mia was better than she gave her credit for. She chimed in, “Some people just love pretending to be wealthy. If you can’t afford them, you really should drop the act.”
“Who the hell are you saying can’t afford these things? I’m a member of the Barrett family, which is the largest shareholder of this mall. How could I possibly not be able to afford these things?”
As soon as the words were out of Shelly’s mouth, the salesperson came over with her card. “Ms. Barrett, the transaction can’t go through. You’ve exceeded your limit.”
Shelly screeched, “What do you mean the transaction won’t go through? How can that be?”
“It just won’t, Ms. Barrett.’
Shelly felt embarrassed. She’d bought a number of things this month, so she’d already been close to her limit. That, coupled with the fact that Mia had deliberately led her into a trap, would definitely mean that she’d exceeded her limit.
Shelly put on a serious expression. “Why don’t you just wrap these things up for me first? Put them on my tab. I’ll settle the bill later.”
“We’re not allowed to do that, Ms. Barrett. All customers have to settle the bill before taking the items home,” the salesperson said.
Shelly gave her a tight slap. “I’m a member of the Barrett family! This whole mall belongs to my family; would I really stoop low enough to steal these things from you?
The salesperson’s cheek turned red and swollen from the slap. She didn’t know what to do.
Mia couldn’t take it anymore. “The mall’s rules were set by the Barrett family, Shelly.
It doesn’t matter who’s the one doing the shopping-even if Barrett Group’s president were to shop here, he’d still have to pay before taking the things with him.
Do you think you’re a big shot by bullying a salesperson?”