Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
However, Connie burst into a fit of laughter in the next instant.
“Mia, I know you’re scared. But still, it’s wrong of you to come up with such a ridiculous excuse to fool us. He’s just a broke bodyguard. How could he possibly be the CEO of Barrett Group?”
Connie exchanged glances with her attendant. They wore scornful expressions as they judged Mia.
Bewildered, Mia exclaimed, “How could he not be? Haven’t you met the CEO of Barrett Group before? Even if you haven’t, wouldn’t you have done a background check on the CEO of Barrett Group since you’re going to work with him?”
Connie replied haughtily, “Lewis has always been in charge of the deal. I believe he has already done a background check. Your bodyguard even broke his tooth last time. If he’s really the CEO of Barrett Group, how could Lewis fail to recognize him? You’re clearly lying.”
Her attendant, Selena, also mocked, “Exactly. He’s nothing but a poor bodyguard. How could he possibly be the CEO of Barrett Group? If he’s really the CEO, it’d be impossible for him to work as Mia’s bodyguard.” Looking at their smug expressions, Mia fell silent. They didn’t believe her at all. She stroked her forehead helplessly and asked, “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with Lewis” information?”
She began to suspect that Lewis had been scammed. Or perhaps someone was using the name of the Barrett Group to trick the Bowens into working with them. The person might not even be affiliated with the Barrett Group at all.
Connie snorted. “Lewis has always been very capable. Given how big this deal was, how could he not acquire the necessary information?” “Mrs. Bowen, she had someone impersonate the CEO of Barrett Group because she’s scared,” Selena remarked.
Amused, Mia retorted, “You can search for him online if you don’t believe me.”
Connie cackled. “Fine. I can’t wait to see how disappointed you’ll be.” Soon, Selena said, “There aren’t any pictures of the CEO online. I can’t find anything.”
Mia turned toward Timothy. “Are there really no pictures of you online?” “The information available on the Nord City internet is quite limited, and I also keep a low profile. My photos rarely circulate the internet, so it’s perfectly normal to not find any.”
Connie sneered. “That’s enough. Quit the act. Since we can’t find any photos of the CEO, that means he keeps a low profile. However, this also gives you an opportunity to impersonate him. I’m not a fool— I won’t believe a thing you say.”
Selena set her phone aside and parroted along, “That’s right, Mrs. Bowen. He’s just a poor bodyguard. How could he possibly be the CEO of the Barrett Group? You can tell from his looks.”
Mia was at a loss for words. She genuinely didn’t expect their insolence.
Glancing over at Connie, she said, “In that case, I’m utterly speechless. I hope you won’t regret it when you close the deal with the Barretts.” The level of Connie’s arrogance would be matched by the degree of humiliation she’d face by then.
“Mia, you’re going to regret this later. We won’t let you and this gigolo off the hook by then. You guys will be doomed once the Barrett Group finds out that someone is impersonating their CEO.”
Mia felt like getting back at Connie, but she was at a loss for words. She had made it very clear that her bodyguard was actually the CEO of Barrett Group, yet Connie’s denial caught her off guard. Connie even accused her of getting someone to impersonate Timothy.
She turned toward Timothy. “What do you have to say now?”
Now that she had literally spelled out everything for them, it was his turn to defend himself. He was the CEO of Barrett Group, after all.
In fact, Mia was intrigued to find out how he’d stand up for himself. Timothy furrowed his brows. He also didn’t anticipate the Bowens” imprudence. He glanced at Connie and asked, “The contract is to be signed on the day after tomorrow, right?”
Connie replied smugly, “That’s right. It will be the end of both of you then.”
Timothy snapped, “Don’t expect too much. The deal isn’t going to happen.”
“What makes you think you have the right to decide that? You’re just a lame bodyguard. Do you really think you’re the CEO of Barrett Group?” “I am indeed the CEO of Barrett Group,” Timothy rebuked.
“Still keeping up with the act? Guess what, I will definitely let the CEO know that you impersonated him when we sign the deal. The Barretts definitely wouldn’t spare you. Don’t you dare think you can act recklessly just because Mia has your back. Even the Lanes have to bow down before us by then, let alone a poor bodyguard like you.” “Well, I’m informing you that the deal has been canceled,” Timothy said. “Who said so? How shameless of you to spread rumors!” Lewis barked, emerging from the elevator.
Connie piped up, “Lewis, you came just in time. This poor bodyguard right here is impersonating the CEO of Barrett Group, and he even has the gall to say that he’ll cancel our deal. Just how ridiculous is that?” Selena also chimed in, “Exactly! I couldn’t find any pictures of the CEO earlier despite searching online. So, they took this opportunity to impersonate him. They thought we’d be easily fooled!”
Lewis erupted into laughter. “Impersonating the CEO of Barrett Group?” He turned to Mia and continued, “Do you fancy this gigolo who is full of lies? It seems like you have poor taste, indeed. However, I might consider letting the Lanes off the hook if you agree to our engagement.”
Mia was overwhelmed by his insolence. Furrowing her brows, she answered frankly, “I wouldn’t marry you even if you’re the only man left on Earth. Just give up. You’re too ugly.”
Lewis was infuriated. He raised his hand to strike her, but Timothy stopped him immediately.
“She’s mine. How dare you!” He glowered at Lewis.
“What makes you think you have the right to compete with me for her? You’re just a nobody. Haven’t you heard of the consequences of defying me in Nord City?”
Timothy shoved Lewis away. A menacing glint flickered in his eyes as he threatened, “I’ll sew your mouth shut if you dare to spread any rumors.”
“Why, you! You’re just a broke bodyguard. The nerve of you to act so arrogant! Even Dominic wouldn’t dare to speak to me like that. Just you wait. We’re going to cooperate with the Barrett family soon.”
“Lewis, this bodyguard even impersonated the CEO of Barrett Group earlier. Just how ridiculous is that?” Connie said.
“He’s nothing but a powerless gigolo. He’s only impersonating the CEO for the sake of his poor ego,” she continued.
Mia chanced a glance at Timothy. She was surprised that he was still capable of maintaining his composure.
Still, Connie pestered on. “Lewis, you must’ve already performed a thorough investigation on the CEO of Barrett Group since you’re working with them, right? You must’ve seen a picture of him before. Why don’t you show it to them now? Tell them who the real CEO is. They’ll be mortified.”
Lewis nodded. “Sure. I’m certainly going to expose this gigolo today. Mia, watch how big of a liar he is.”
Mia stifled a laugh and nodded in agreement. “Fine. I can’t wait to see what the CEO of the Barrett Group looks like to you.”
Soon, Lewis produced his phone and began scrolling through his album. He selected a picture promptly. “This is the CEO of the Barrett Group.”
“Hurry up and show them what the CEO looks like, Lewis.”
However, Lewis was stunned once he saw the man in the picture. His eyes flitted back and forth from the picture to Timothy.
“They do look quite alike.”
Confused, Connie questioned, “Lewis, what do you mean? Let me have a look.” She took the phone from him. Casting a quick glance at Timothy after she scrutinized the photo, she muttered, “They’re slightly similar.”
Could it be that the bodyguard next to Mia was really the CEO of Barrett Group?
Selena immediately chimed in, “Mrs. Bowen, don’t be fooled. His resemblance to the CEO of the Barrett Group was why he impersonated him in the first place.”
“Lewis, do you have a proper picture of him? Only his side profile is shown here. I can’t make out his features,” Connie added.
“Mom, he usually keeps a very low profile. Very few of his pictures are on the internet. In fact, I’m incredibly lucky to be able to have one of his pictures.”
Mia stepped forward to take a good look at the picture. Indeed, only a man’s side profile was shown. Still, it was evident that the man in the picture looked identical to Timothy.
“Do you believe him now?”
Connie snorted. “Well, he looks like the CEO. So what?”
Without skipping a beat, Lewis said, “Exactly. The CEO of Barrett Group has always been in Bern City all this while. He’s never been to Nord City. The day after tomorrow will be his first day here because of our deal. Basically, this gigolo beside you is a fraud. They just appear to look alike, that’s all.”
“That’s right. He’s only impersonating the CEO because he must’ve seen him before.”
Little did Mia expect the Bowens to be so deep in denial despite having seen the picture.
In the next instant, Lewis also claimed that Caleb, the eldest son of the second most prestigious family in Bern City, the Gomez family, would be here as well. He even met him a few days ago.
Mia arched her brows. “Actually, Caleb is at the hospital now.”
No longer able to endure the Bowens’ brazenness, Mia felt a strong urge to humiliate them. She thought she’d seen enough impudence, yet the Bowens just brought her an eye-opening experience. How could they possibly be so insolent and foolish at the same time?
The Bowens’ arrogance had left Mia in awe. She wondered who gave them the nerve to display such impudence. Were they unaware of what happened to the Jones?
Connie immediately retorted, “Mia, you gotta be kidding me. How would you be acquainted with Mr. Gomez? You probably only met him once. How would you know that he’s at this hospital?”
“It’s simple. Caleb just bought a gift to visit my child at the hospital, so we’ve just met. I know he’s here.”
“It’s not surprising that you know him. However, that doesn’t prove that this broke bodyguard is the CEO of Barrett Group. These are two different things!” Lewis interjected.
Amused, Mia replied, “Are you feeling uneasy? Caleb is good friends with the CEO of Barrett Group. He can prove whether my bodyguard is the CEO of the Barrett Group once he’s here.”
“Uneasy? Why would I be? You’re the one who’s in a tough spot now,” Lewis retorted.
“Lewis, call Mr. Gomez and ask him where he is now. We’ll be able to find out whether he’s really at the hospital. It’s no big deal,” Connie suggested.
Mia nodded. “Exactly. You can just call him. Or you can even have him come to this floor.”
“Sure, why not? Do you think I’d be intimidated?” Lewis took his phone out and made a call. The call got through promptly.
Lewis began courteously, “Hello, may I know where Mr. Gomez is right now?”
“Mr. Gomez’s schedule is confidential. We’re not allowed to disclose such information to outsiders. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Sorry for bothering.”
Lewis cast a smug glance at Mia after he hung up. “Mr. Gomez isn’t even at the hospital.”
Caleb’s itinerary was confidential, after all. It simply wouldn’t make sense for him to pay a sudden visit to the hospital. Thus, Mia must be lying.
As if she had obtained Mia’s leverage, Connie immediately hollered, “Mia, you’ve finally shown your true colors! Your bodyguard isn’t even the CEO of Barrett Group, and you don’t know Mr. Gomez as well. You’re merely lying for your own sake.”
Her absurd remark threw Mia off. “Why do I have to lie about such trivial matters? Given my family’s status, it’s not surprising that I’m acquainted with Caleb. There’s no point in lying.”
Lying was unnecessary. With the Lanes being the most prominent family in Nord City, Mia didn’t see the need to deceive others.
Connie rolled her eyes. “That’s not necessarily true. After all, we’re about to cooperate with the Barrett Group soon. They’re the number one powerhouse in Bern City. Do you think your family stands a chance against us? It’s understandable that you’re intentionally lying out of fear.”
Pompously, Lewis nodded and chimed in, “Mom, you’re right. She’s scared out of her wits now. That explains why she had her bodyguard impersonate the CEO of Barrett Group. Come on, as if anyone would buy it!”
“Like I said, he’s just a broke, lowly bodyguard! How could he be the CEO of Barrett Group? No one will believe you no matter how you put it!
“Mia, there’s still time to regret this. I’ll consider sparing the Lanes as long as you serve me well tonight,” Lewis said, his tone dripping with lust.
Mia clenched her fists instantly. She itched to punch Lewis in his face, and she was on the verge of cursing him to his end.