Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Shelly stomped her feet in rage. “I’m going to kill you, Mia!”
Liam glared menacingly at Shelly as he growled, “Go on. Let’s see if you dare. Do it, and I’ll see if I can give your plastic surgeon another chance to give you a new nose.”
Terrified, Shelly shielded her nose and shut her mouth.
Mia said to Liam, “Let’s go. Aunt Patricia told me not to spend time with fools.”
Smoke was coming out of Shelly’s ears. She secretly took a photo of Mia and Liam from behind before calling Maya. “Maya, didn’t you tell the head of the organizing committee to close registrations a day early to stop Mia from joining?”
“That’s right,” Maya replied. “I spoke to the head of the committee. The registration period should’ve closed yesterday.”
“Well, I came over today just so I could laugh at Mia, but guess what I saw?” Shelly huffed. “The registration period didn’t end yesterday. Today’s the last day, and because of that, that bitch Mia got to ridicule me! I was so humiliated!”
“That’s impossible.”
Maya frowned. How could this be? She had already given her instructions to the person in charge.
“Maya, you should check to see what went wrong. Get the guy to reject Mia’s application and ban her from joining the competition. I must get even with her!” Shelly insisted.
After ending the call, Maya called the head of the organizing committee and asked sternly, “Didn’t I tell you to close the registrations for the competition yesterday?”
“I was going to do as you instructed, Ms. Lane, but Mr. Lane specifically said we’re not allowed to close the registrations a day early.
“We’re to follow the deadline that had been set in advance. We had no choice but to comply with the order,” the person explained.
After hearing that, Maya ended the call and threw the document she was holding onto the floor.
She cursed to herself. Everything had been going so smoothly. Why did something happen at the last minute to ruin her plan?
All she could do was seethe in rage at how lucky Mia was.
Maya knew that Dominic didn’t like other people messing around at work, so she dared not do anything too
She had no choice but to swallow her anger and accept this outcome. She called Shelly and explained the situation.
Shelly was furious. “Well, it’s whatever. After all, Mia barely knows anything about interior design anyway. Even if she manages to register for the competition, she won’t make it past the first round!”
Maya agreed with Shelly, Plus, she would keep a close eye on the first round and make sure Mia had no chance to stand out from other contestants.
She wanted Mia to spend the rest of her life in poverty!
“Maya, I’ve got something to tell you. A man accompanied Mia to the venue just now. It seemed like they were pretty close. Maybe he’s Mia’s new boyfriend,” Shelly speculated.
Maya’s eyes lit up. “What did he look like?”
“I took a photo of them from behind. The man was wearing a mask and a hat. He was being so secretive-just like a celebrity in disguise-but I’m sure it’s because he’s not fit to be seen in public. Do you want to take a look at the photo?”
“No need, but make sure you don’t let Timothy see this photo. Otherwise, he’ll definitely misunderstand Mia,” Maya said meaningfully before ending the call.
She figured the foolish Shelly would’ve gotten the hint.
True enough, Shelly was pondering Maya’s words. If Timothy found out about the photo, he would be infuriated!
That would mean hell for Mia, right?
Shelly’s eyes flashed viciously. She immediately sent the photo to Timothy. “Timothy, Mia came to register for the competition today, and I saw her being very intimate with a man! I doubt they’re just ordinary friends!”
Once that was done, Shelly scoffed. She was sure Mia was done for now.
Timothy had been busy with work when he received the message from Shelly. When he saw the photo, his eyes darkened.
After staring at it for quite some time, he couldn’t figure out who the man was.
He sent the photo to Heath before setting his phone down and saying, “Find out who that man is.”
Heath glanced at the photo. “Mr. Barrett, it’s not going to be easy to identify him with just a photo of him from behind.”
“Just check the security footage. Must I teach you these things?” Timothy snapped.
He took another look at the photo. Mia was smiling as she looked at the man beside her.
The smile on her face made Timothy feel quite annoyed.
Mia returned home after registering for the competition. She started drafting her design.
That night, her brothers, cousins, and Eva came by for dinner. They talked about her participating in the Fleur International Design Competition.
Dominic’s eyes lit up.
“Do you like winning first place, Mia?”
Mia was taken aback by this question. “I don’t think anyone would dislike that.”
But who could be sure when it came to competitions? She could only try her best.
Eva stomped on Dominic’s foot. Then, she said, “Your brother just means that you’ll definitely win first place since you’re so good at this.’
Dominic nodded vigorously. He had to ensure Mia won first place. Even if there weren’t a first place to win, he’d create one for her!
What did principles matter when this had to do with his sister?
Mia didn’t think of this. She returned to her room to slave away at her designs. She could finally participate in this competition again after a number of years.
decided to get married if not for James suddenly
Three years ago, she wouldn’t hav needing a huge sum of money to stay alive.
This time, Mia wanted a fresh start. It was for herself and also for her unborn child.
A week later, Mia was notified that she’d made it into the Fleur International Design Competition finals.
Gina immediately texted her when she heard. “I told you you could do it!
Congratulations on getting through to the finals, Mia! Your luck’s finally turning around! I just knew dumping that piece of shit would bring you good luck!”
Mia replied, “I do have to admit that I’ve been having better luck lately.”
Soon, Mia saw the story Gina posted on her Instagram. “Extra, extra! Our amazing
Zoe has just made her official comeback. She’s gotten into the final round of the
Fleur International Design Competition. She’ll have another victory under her belt soon!”
Mia took a deep breath. She hoped she would win first place; she needed the prize money, after all.
Eva soon received word on this. She said to Dominic, “Honey, that Zoe is participating in the competition, too. I’m worried that the odds are stacked against Mia.”
Dominic didn’t think this s was too big a deal. “We’ll have two first¨Cplace winners, then.”
Whatever it was, Mia had to win first place!
Meanwhile, Heath knocked on Timothy’s door at Barrett Group’s headquarters. “Mr. Barrett, the list of finali for the Fleur International Design Competition is out.”
Timothy looked up and pretended to look nonchalant as he asked, “Who’s on it?”
“I heard that Zoe, that popular designer who disappeared three years ago, is also participating.”
Timothy rapped his knuckles on the desk. “Have someone ask her whether she’s willing to work here.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll get on it right away.
“Hold it.” Timothy frowned. “Hand me the list of finalists.”
Heath handed it to them and asked tentatively, “Did you want to know whether Mrs.
Barrett got in, sir?”
“I couldn’t care less about that. I just wanted to see whether anyone on this list has potential.”
Timothy skimmed the list. Sure enough, Mia’s name was on it. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. He hadn’t expected her to actually get through.
She’d been timid and lowly for three years. Now, she seemed like a wholly different person.
Heath said with a straight face, “Mrs. Barrett’s design seems to be pretty unique.
Should we try to get her to join us, too?”
Timothy gave him an icy look. “I didn’t tell you to do anything extra, did I?”
His gaze darkened as he looked down at the list again. “Tell the panel of judges that I want to be on the panel for the finals.”
Heath was lost for words. Would this be considered something “extra”?
He forged on ahead. “Sir, do you remember the person at the registration that you wanted me to investigate? They had a hat and mask on, so I couldn’t find out who it was.¡®