Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Should Maya discover Mia’s relationship with Connor, what repercussions would follow?
With a triumphant expression, Maya retorted, “Mia, perhaps it’s time for you to abandon this fantasy. You’re simply not worthy of Connor. Stop indulging in illusions.”
At Maya’s words, Mia raised her eyebrows slightly. There was something strangely familiar about
Maya’s remark.
Timothy had previously expressed a similar sentiment about Mia and Connor not being a suitable match.
Of course, Mia and Connor weren’t compatible¨Cthey were siblings! The idea of them being together was absurd.
It seemed that both Maya and Timothy had misconstrued Mia’s relationship with Connor, assuming they were a couple.
If that were indeed the case, handling the situation would be much easier.
With a sly smile, Mia remarked, “Maya, don’t you think you’re meddling a bit too much?”.
“Very well, I’ll speak with Connor directly to clarify matters. Then you’ll realize if I’m truly meddling,
“
Maya retorted, ready to step into the elevator.
Sensing the situation escalating, Mia swiftly grabbed Maya and pressed her against the wall, determined to prevent her from reaching Connor.
Frustrated, Maya demanded, “Let go!”
“I won’t!” Pressing Maya’s shoulders, Mia forcefully pinned her against the wall, rendering her unable to move.
Their proximity was uncomfortably close.
Mia had just realized she was half a head taller than Maya, and Maya’s petite stature couldn’t budge her at all.
Suddenly, a cold voice broke their confrontation. “What’s going on here?”
Mia glanced over to see Timothy and Sharon nearby, though she couldn’t shake the sense of ambiguity in their gazes.
Timothy’s expression turned grim as he demanded, “Aren’t you going to let go?”
Observing the two women closely, with Mia pressing Maya against the wall, their positions seemed oddly intimate from a distance.
Was Mia now targeting women as well?
Sharon hurried over and exclaimed, “Mia, what are you doing to Ms. Lane?”
Upon spotting Sharon, Maya swiftly adopted a pitiable expression. “Mrs. Barrett, I have no idea what Ms. Bowen wants from me. She suddenly restrained me and wouldn’t let go. She even hurt my hand!”
Mia immediately let go and responded with a cheerful expression, “I was simply teasing Ms. Lane, that’s all.”
Sharon looked up. “Is it appropriate to play such a prank on Ms. Lane? Tim, you witnessed it firsthand!”
Observing Timothy’s displeased expression, Mia couldn’t shake off her unease. Why was he so concerned about Maya?
It wasn’t as if Mia had caused any significant harm to Maya.
Maya quickly turned to Timothy with a pleading expression. “I can’t believe Mia harassed me just now. Thankfully, you arrived in time, or I don’t know what might have occurred.
“After all, I am heterosexual. I’m only interested in men.”
Mia was taken aback and stared incredulously at Maya. “Please tell me, when did your moral compass go astray?”
When exactly did Mia behave inappropriately?
Mia never expected that Maya would one day accuse her of harassment. She couldn’t fathom
Maya’s audacity.
Maya retorted defiantly, “Did I say something wrong? Who was the one embracing me downstairs and pushing me into the elevator just now? And who pinned me against the wall, refusing to let me go?”
Mia felt a blow to her sense of dignity.
Before she could explain, Timothy firmly grasped her arm, his lips forming a tight line. “Mia, follow
1. me.
“Timothy, let go!” Mia glanced back at Maya, who sported a smug expression. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been tricked again!
What was going on with Timothy?
Mia found herself ushered into ¨¤ corner by Timothy, and just as she was about to speak, he seized her chin. “Mia, it seems you’re growing more daring, aren’t you? How did I miss that before?”
Meeting Timothy’s intense gaze, Mia scoffed. “Well, I’ve always warned you against judging me from your narrow perspective. I doubt you’d comprehend,” she retorted sarcastically.
At her words, Timothy’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Grandma would be upset if she knew about your attraction to women.”
Mia was caught off guard by Timothy’s words. After all, she was straight!
Mia chuckled in exasperation. “Alright, now that it’s out there, I won’t keep pretending. Yes, I’m bisexual. I’ve come to realize that men aren’t all they’re cracked up to b¨º.
“Women are nurturing and understanding, and we connect on a deeper level. They’re much better than those arrogant men.”
Upon hearing Mia’s confession, Timothy’s expression turned grim. He could sense Mia was mocking him for his arrogant behavior.
Just as Timothy was about to respond, Mia’s phone rang. She checked the screen and noticed it was Connor calling.
Brushing aside Timothy’s hand, she said, “Excuse me, I need to go now.”
Timothy glanced at Mia’s phone, which showed Connor’s incoming call. A slight frown creased
“If he can’t accept it, then I’ll simply find someone who will,” Mia muttered nonsensically.
With that, she turned and briskly descended the stairs through the nearby emergency exit, deliberately avoiding the elevator to evade any potential encounters with Maya and Sharon.
Observing Mia leave, Timothy’s irritation grew.
He was already unhappy about Mia’s relationship with Connor, and now her apparent interest in
Maya only made him more aggravated.
Was Mia trying to charm every member of the Lane family?
“Tim.” Just then, Maya’s pitiful voice echoed.
She glanced at Timothy but didn’t spot Mia. It seemed as though Mia had fled out of a sense of guilt.
Timothy’s expression turned cold as he directed his gaze toward Maya, noticing her delicate appearance, which seemed even more petite compared to Mia’s.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Timothy couldn’t help but find Maya’s face particularly irritating.
He spoke in a cold voice, “Keep your distance from Mia from now on. Don’t get too close to her.”
Upon hearing this, Maya’s expression shifted instantly to one of surprise. “Tim, I knew you-*
But before Maya could finish her sentence, Timothy abruptly turned and walked away, leaving Maya standing alone.
Despite Timothy’s sudden departure, Maya’s mood notably improved. She interpreted his actions as a sign of his care for her.
Certainly, Timothy’s insistence that Maya keep her distance from Mia appeared to be motivated by his concern for Maya’s well¨Cbeing.
Maya’s face lit up with a radiant smile. She was confident that Timothy would never show any interest in someone like Mia, who had been born an orphan.
Just then, Sharon approached. “Maya, what did Tim say?”
“He told me to stay away from Mia. It’s clear he still cares about me.”
Sharon smiled knowingly. “Ms. Lane, as I mentioned earlier, Mrs. Barrett Senior’s surgery has been successfully carried out.
“Tim’s respect for Mrs. Barrett Senior is what led him to endure Mia’s presence for so long. Now that the surgery is finished, it’s only a matter of time before Mia is promptly shown the door.”
Maya’s expression turned smug as she remembered something. “But what about Mrs. Barrett Senior’s heir agreement?”
“No need to worry. Mia isn’t pregnant. That document is merely worthless paper.”
After pondering for a moment, Maya felt much more relieved.
Mia descended the stairs to join Connor, and together they headed home.
As Mia sat in the passenger seat, her mind churned with thoughts of Maya’s accusations earlier. The memory of being labeled a harasser by Maya stirred a deep sense of disgust within Mia.
She was well aware of Maya’s questionable ethics but hadn’t anticipated them sinking to such depths.
Connor drove cautiously, attentively monitoring Mia’s expression. He feared that Mia might have uncovered their true identities during her altercation with Maya.
After some time, Connor gathered the courage to inquire, “Mia, what did you and Maya discuss earlier?”