Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Well, this was refreshing for Mia. She didn’t see why it was compulsory for women to marry. Why did she have to remarry her ex¨Chusband? Who set these rules?
Laura didn’t seem astounded. She shot a suggestive glance at Timothy, who stood at the back. “Tim, what are you waiting for? Didn’t you prepare a gift for Mia? Hurry up and show her.”
Mia was startled. She didn’t expect Timothy to prepare a gift for her. Soon, Kaleb appeared with a gift box, and Sharon’s expression changed drastically. “This? Are you sure you’ve got the right one?”
Shelly gasped, “This can’t be!”
Mia’s curiosity for the box grew when she saw how flabbergasted they both looked. What was in it?
With the box in his hand, Timothy strode toward her. “Mia, I haven’t been doing my best in the past three years—“
“Mr. Barrett, I don’t think you have to apologize. Both of you are no longer a legal couple, after all. It’s quite inappropriate to bring up the past now when everyone’s clearly enjoying themselves, don’t you think so?” Connor quipped. Dominic added coldly, “Timothy, are you trying to coerce Mia into forgiving you with a public apology?”
Flustered, Sharon rambled, “Of course not! Tim, since they don’t need it, hurry up and put it away.”
Anxiety stewed in her stomach as her gaze remained fixated on the box. This was a piece of jewelry she had coveted for years. How could he just give it to Mia? Was he out of his mind?
Mia took a deep breath, and glanced up at Timothy. “Dominic’s right. Let’s leave our past behind us. We’re here today to celebrate Grandma Laura’s recovery, not this.”
.
Timothy dropped his gaze, picking up the calmness in her eyes. He could no longer see the infatuated look in her eyes. The spark she used to have in them vanished entirely. He grimaced, suddenly painfully aware of the ache in his heart. He swallowed. “In that case, take this,” he said, opening the box.
Everyone’s attention was captured by the sandalwood box when Timothy opened it. Intrigued, Mia looked at it, and she was surprised once she saw what was inside the box.
It was a diamond tiara. It was antique, yet the stunning array of diamonds still glimmered under the light, portraying an ethereal glow which rendered the nearby quests breathless.
Sharon almost toppled over when Timothy opened the box. She yearned for the tiara, longing for the day she would finally own it once Laura passed. Someone next to her steadied her and asked, “Is this the diamond tiara? I heard it belonged to a queen from the Victorian era, and the Barrett family bidded it at an auction to add it to their collection.”
As speechless as Sharon was, she was still seething. She was well aware of the tiara’s history, and she knew what was in it once she laid eyes on the box. Her blood boiled when she realized Timothy was going to give this to Mia. This was hers! How could he give it to someone else?
Mia was equally dumbfounded. This wasn’t just any jewelry¨Cthis was antique, treasured jewelry.
Overcome by jealousy, Shelly blurted, “Look at how flippant Timothy is, Grandma! How could he just give our family heirloom away to a stranger?”
Laura replied indifferently, “I gave him the tiara. He has the right to give it to anyone he likes.”
Shelly was infuriated. “Grandma, you’re so biased! We ladies clearly fancy exquisite jewelry like this, yet you gave it to Timothy.” She had nothing despite being a Barrett. Her father passed away, and she had no one to rely on in the family.
Laura’s gaze swept past her. “Did I treat you badly over the years?”
Shelly was fuming, but Harriette warned her. “Enough. Stop the nonsense.” She deterred Shelly. preventing her from spluttering more nonsense in front of the numerous guests. She was well aware that Laura played a significant role in ensuring their comfort and well¨Cbeing.
Their lavish lifestyle would come to an end if they offended Timothy. Also, Mia was no longer an orphan. They couldn’t afford to upset her either. She was the daughter of the Lane family.
Mia too didn’t expect to receive a gift of this value. It exceeded her expectations. Glancing up at Timothy.
she said, “This is too much. I can’t accept it!”
Sharon was relieved. Her uneasiness faded once she realized Mia didn’t want the tiara. Timothy wasn’t taken aback by Mia’s response, since he knew that she was no longer her docile self.
It turned out that Laura was right, after all. If he could understand his feelings sooner and coaxed her before her brothers found her, things wouldn’t be as strenuous as they were now.
Palpable tension hung in the air after Mia refused to accept the gift.
Striding up to Mia, Eva linked arms with her and said, “Mia, you did the right thing. We can’t accept a gift of such priceless value, but we appreciate your effort, Mr. Barrett. You can still be friends after you’ve separated, can’t you?”
Sharon replied in a haste. “Exactly! Kaleb, put the box away now. Be careful with this precious heirloom.” A weight had been lifted off her chest upon Mia’s refusal. Otherwise, she doubted that she could rest well tonight.
This was their family heirloom. How could Timothy act so flippantly by giving it away to someone like
Mia?
Laura let out a subtle sigh, and immediately proceeded with easing the atmosphere. “Alright, everyone.
Let’s dig in!”
The guests played along, giving no heed to the awkwardness lingering in the air. The tiara still remained the center of f conversation for certain guests. Their tone was laced with envy and desire as they spoke.
expressing how fortunate Timothy’s future bride would be.
One of them showered Sharon with flattery. “You’ll inherit the tiara eventually, and some lucky girl in the future will get it as well!”
Sharon’s spirits were lifted. “My daughter¨Cin¨Claw has to be from a prominent family as well! She doesn’t deserve my son if she’s a peasant.” She chanced a glance at Mia again.
She might be the daughter of the Lane family, but there were plenty of girls coveting Timothy as well.
Sharon suddenly detested the idea of letting Timothy remarry Mia. Judging by how arrogant the Lanes. were, she could already picture Mia having full control over her in the future. She wouldn’t let that happen.
Another guest chimed in instantly, “Then isn’t Ms. Lane the right match?”
Sharon’s expression shifted as she faltered. “Well, she sort of is, but she has to abide by the Barrett family rules once she marries into our family.”
A hint of scorn flickered across Mia’s features. She was aware that Sharon’s implications were directed at her, but the last thing she’d want right now was to remarry Timothy.
Standing next to her. Eval a smile at Sharon. “Mrs. Barrett, we appreciate your hospitality toward
Mia in the past three years as well. Our gratitude for you is beyond words!”
Sharon’s expression stiffened as she stammered, “I¨CI might have been quite strict with Mia back then.
but I did it for her sake.”
Another guest, Tabitha, chimed in servilely, “Exactly. It’s not easy being the daughter¨Cin¨Claw of a prominent family.”
Just then, all the Lane brothers strode up to Mia, fixating their gaze at Sharon and the other socialites. Tabitha immediately rephrased her words amidst the rising tension. “But Mia’s already brilliant to begin with. She didn’t accept the gift earlier¨Cthat says a lot about her excellent mannerisms.”
“Yeah! Ms. Lane, the jewelry you’re wearing is extremely lavish as well.”
Sharon’s gaze drifted toward Mia’s necklace, but she couldn’t tell what was so special about it. Another socialite approached Mia, saying. “I’ve noticed it for some time. Ms. Lane, are you wearing the piece of jewelry worn by Queen Elizabeth herself before?”
Astonished, Mia threaded her fingers through her necklace. She knew it wasn’t cheap, but she didn’t expect its staggering value.
A pang of jealousy surged in Sharon’s chest. She’d participated in several similar auctions, yet it was a daunting task to bid Queen Elizabeth’s jewelry since they were highly coveted.
Little did Sharon expect Mia to obtain it with a breeze, easily surpassing the value of the jewelry she wore.
Mia’s fingers grazed past the jewelry on her wrist. It didn’t seem like it was a set with her necklace.
Doris¡® eyes were glued to her wrist as she exclaimed, “Is this Lumiere by Van Boucheron? The bracelet he designed for his crush? It’s truly one of a kind!”
Feeling perplexed, Mia looked at her wrist. She was no jewelry designer, but she had heard of Van Boucheron. He was renowned in the world of jewelry design, after all. The Lumiere was among the top ten of his best designs, so monumental that it inspired one of Vior’s jewelry designs.
The other socialites inhaled sharply. Envy bubbled in Sharon’s eyes as she realized how much the Lanes pampered Mia.
Eva replied calmly. “Yes, it’s Lumiere. I don’t have a lot of hobbies, but collecting jewelry is one of them. I longed to have a sister, and now that I finally have one, I can doll her up with my collection.”
Doris chuckled and said, “Ms. Delgado is a renowned jewelry collector in Nord City, but she keeps a really low profile. If it wasn’t for the Lumiere, I wouldn’t have realized that you’re actually Ms. Delgado,
Mrs. Lane.”
“I’ve heard of Ms. Delgado as well. Most famous jewelry are in her collection, so people actually have to go to her to borrow her collection if they want to organize an exhibition.”
Eva replied modestly. “Jewelry collection is just a personal hobby, but I’m glad that Mia gets to wear them now, giving them a chance to make an appearance again.¡®
“Mr. Lane, you’re blessed to have such a wife.”
“Mia’s equally fortunate as well. She used to be the lady of the Barrett family before she returned as the daughter of the Lanes. Whatever her position may be, she’s exceptional indeed!”
As the socialites lavished praise on Mia, the tension lingering in the air faded. The Lane brothers looked visibly pleased, especially Dominic. The menacing look on his face flipped into satisfaction once the socialites began complimenting Mia.
Mia was filled with a sense of novelty as she saw how the socialites worked their way around words. They belittled her back then, yet they kept fawning over her mannerisms and appearance today.
Sharon felt frustrated. She also wore jewelry from her precious collection, yet they were incomparable to Mia’s jewelry. Being overshadowed by Mia, whom she ofice bullied and looked down on, was a tough pill for her to swallow. With Mia’s six brothers standing next to her, it simply wasn’t possible for Sharon to express her chagrin.
Sharon would drown in dread if the topic on Mia’s jewelry dragged on. Thus, she took the initiative to avert the topic. “Oh yeah, when are you planning to return to Nord City. Ms. Bowen?”
Mia replied calmly, “Soon. I’ll go back once I’ve settled my college issues.”
Another socialite chimed in. “As the daughter of the Lane family who was found after being missing for so long, aren’t you all going to hold a grand banquet to celebrate Ms. Bowen’s return?”
Dominic shot a glance at her and said indifferently. “That’s right.”
Connor added, “The banquet will be held at Andrews, the most mysterious and extravagant hotel in Nord City. Our friends and family, also not missing out some of our significant guests from the upper crust, will be invited. By then, we’ll officially introduce Mia as the daughter of the Lane family.”
“Andrews? The elusive yet powerful hotel which is capable of satisfying all of its reserved guests¡® needs?”
Eva nodded. “Exactly. Only that place is worthy of Mia’s first public appearance.”
Shelly quipped, “What’s so great about the hotel?”
One of the socialites chuckled. “It’s not just any hotel, and not everyone can book a reservation at it. I remembered that I had to wait two years to get my reservation when I called them last time.”
Shelly retorted indignantly. “Then how did Mia book her reservation at Andrews? Did she cut the queue? Aunt Sharon wanted to spend her vacation there, but she failed to secure a reservation though.”