Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Caleb swiftly turned to Tanner, demanding. “How dare your hotel staff abduct my child? Is there some issue between us?”
Regardless of whether Ginger was his daughter, the series of events¨Cwhere she mentioned Caleb’s name only to be later abducted by the hotel staff seemed to indicate a personal grudge against Cate
Tanner nervously took a sip of water and attempted to clarify. “Mr. Gomez, this is all a misunderstanda We have no conflicts, and there’s no motive for us to abduct a child, right?
Timothy responded nonchalantly. “It appears your sister has taken an interest in Caleb There’s a turner that there isn’t a man she can’t win over
“My assumption is that she overheard Ginger mentioning Calety’s name, leading the hotel staff to hide her.5
Caleb couldn’t help but frown. “Targeting a child is unacceptable. It’s rather unfortunate that your sister has her eyes on me.”
Realizing there was no way out, Tanner forced a smile and proposed, “I sincerely apologize for this. My sister has a rather forceful personality.
“How about this, Mr. Barrett? When it’s time for the reishi mushroom auction, I’ll make sure my tearn helps you secure the bid. Does that sound good to you?”
Caleb responded casually, “Can’t you just sell it to us now?”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. It’s the private seller’s goods, and I don’t have the authority to interfere, Tanner responded.
Timothy’s tone grew cold, “Give me the seller’s contact details.”
In the end, Tanner relented and passed over the contact information, adding, “Please don’t mention that! gave this to you.”
With the contact details in hand, Timothy exited the room and instructed Heath to reach out to the seller directly.
However, the seller declined private transactions and insisted on going through Xanier Island’s auction process.
Caleb let out a frustrated sigh. “Is this seller out of their mind? Even with a generous offer, they’re declining. It’s not like we’re involved in any shady dealings.”
Heath added, “It looks like our only option now is to bid at the auction.”
The reishi mushroom was the sole medicine with the potential to awaken Laura,
Timothy’s expression turned grim, and he spoke with determination, “I refuse to give up.”
“Tim, considering it’s still early, how about we head down to the basement floor for a few rounds? You’ve been buried in work for years without a break, wouldn’t it be nice to unwind a bit?
“I’ve heard that Xanier Island has invited professional gamblers to oversee the games. Maybe we even join them for a few rounds later.”
With Ginger still in the room, Timothy promptly declined, stating, “No, I’m not going.”
could
Exiting the elevator, they crossed through the lobby on the ground floor before proceeding toward the accommodation area on the opposite.
Outside, the rain continued to pour heavily.
“Tim.”
Just then, Luna stood at the entrance with her suitcase, completely drenched from the rain, her beautiful figure catching the attention of many men around.
As they approached the door, Timothy’s expression soured. “What brings you here?”
“I heard about the reishi mushroom auction at Xanier Island, so I hurried over. The airport closed due to heavy rain, so I had to pay a fisherman a hefty sum to smuggle me here. I didn’t expect to run into you!”
Luna replied.
She gazed up at Timothy with anticipation, yet his expression remained stoic.
Without hesitation, Caleb removed his suit jacket and draped it over Luna’s shoulders.
“Luna, you’re being too reckless. If the fisherman who brought you here has malicious intentions, you could be in serious danger. This is Xanier Island, a place where anything can be bought and sold.”
Despite the warning. Luna managed a faint smile. “I get it, but I’m also eager to find the reishi mushroom quickly so Grandma Laura can wake up. I want to pitch in as well!”
As her words trailed off, Luna cast a cautious glance at Timothy. “Tim, I promise I won’t cause any trouble for you.”
Timothy remained silent as Caleb stepped forward to retrieve Luna’s luggage.
At that moment, a sleek black Lincoln limousine pulled up outside, its brakes making a slight squeak as it halted at the entrance.
Standing nearby, Luna accidentally got splashed with rainwater from the vehicle, making her already- drenched dress even dirtier.
Just as Caleb was about to speak, the Lincoln limousine abruptly stopped. A team of black¨Cclad bodyguards swiftly emerged from both sides, lining up in front of the car door.
Their demeanor exuded an intimidating presence.
In addition to the imposing bodyguards, a red carpet had been rolled out from the car door, extending into the hotel lobby.
The driver respectfully exited the vehicle and approached the passenger side, opening the door. Stepping out was a figure in black high heels, highlighting slender and elegant legs.
The onlookers held their breath, their anticipation mounting as they watched the woman step out of the car, eager to catch a glimpse of her identity.
She was dressed in a flowing black gown, her dark hair gently curled, and a sparkling diamond necklace adorned her neck.
She wore no makeup, just a bold stroke of bright red lipstick, which accentuated her beauty with a confident flair!
As Timothy laid eyes on the woman exiting the car, he was momentarily stunned. Her familiar features stirred something deep within him.
It felt as though his mind had been momentarily blanked!
He instinctively tried to approach her, but the bodyguards intervened, leaving him with no choice but to watch helplessly as she walked past.
It took a moment for Timothy to collect himself. He pushed past the guards and hurried toward the woman, calling out, “Mia!”
Timothy seized her wrist, his gaze locked onto her features that mirrored his memories, his heart pounding with a blend of joy and incredulity. “It’s really you, isn’t it?”
He was convinced all along that Mia hadn’t died!
After tirelessly searching for her for four years, he had finally found her.
In an instant, Mia lifted her hand and delivered a swift, resounding slap across his face!
Timothy’s face tilted slightly, and a sharp, burning pain quickly spread across his cheek.
His eyes darted to Mia standing before him, his throat tightening as he said, “This slap is on me. If you’re still not satisfied…
A resounding smack echoed as another slap landed on Timothy’s opposite cheek.
The atmosphere grew eerily silent.
Caleb and Luna hurried over together, their faces reflecting surprise as they observed the woman who bore a striking resemblance to Mia.
Luna’s eyes darkened with concern as she addressed Timothy, “Tim, are you alright?”
Caleb stared at Mia in disbelief, finding it hard to fathom encountering her in this unexpected place.
There had been no news of Mia for the past four years.
Meanwhile, the Lane family in Nord City had covered up any information, leaving no clues to trace Mia’s whereabouts.
Timothy remained oblivious, gripping Mia’s wrist tightly as he pursed his lips. “Have you had enough of hitting me?”
“Let go of me!” Mia protested.
She looked at Timothy in disbelief, who had seemingly appeared out of thin air. How dare he confront her like this!
With a chuckle, Mia moved closer, grabbing Timothy’s tie and murmuring. “Sir, many men are interested in me, but you’re the first one who dared to invite trouble. Despite your good looks. I’m not interested in this sort of masochistic play.”
Upon hearing her words, Timothy spoke in a deep voice, saying, “You don’t have to pretend you don’t recognize me.”
Mia abruptly lifted her head, leaving a red lipstick stain on Timothy’s collar.
She retrieved her lipstick, wrote a phone number on his shirt, and lightly patted his chest, remarking. “I have urgent matters to attend to at the moment, so I can’t engage in these games. Get in touch with me later.”
Timothy’s face tilted slightly, and a sharp, burning pain quickly spread across his cheek.
His eyes darted to Mia standing before him, his throat tightening as he said, “This slap is on me. If you’re still not satisfied… *
A resounding smack echoed as another slap landed on Timothy’s opposite cheek.
The atmosphere grew eerily silent.
Caleb and Luna hurried over together, their faces reflecting surprise as they observed the woman who bore a striking resemblance to Mia.
Luna’s eyes darkened with concern as she addressed Timothy, “Tim, are you alright?”
Caleb stared at Mia in disbelief, finding it hard to fathom encountering her in this unexpected place.
There had been no news of Mia for the past four years.
Meanwhile, the Lane family in Nord City had covered up any information, leaving no clues to trace Mia’s whereabouts.
Timothy remained oblivious, gripping Mia’s wrist tightly as he pursed his lips. “Have you had enough of hitting me?”