Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
As an afterthought, Felix approached Connor. “Hi, Mr. Lane. Are you here to pick up Mia?”
Connor hummed indifferently. “What about you? Are these roses for your girlfriend?”
Felix managed a bashful smile. “These are for Mia. I didn’t expect to run into her brother today. I might as well come clean with you.
“Actually, I’ve liked her for a long time. I’d like to give her the best things in the world and look.
after her forever. I hope you would wish us the best.”
That made Connor uncomfortable. Everything in him was screaming to punch Felix.
Right then, Claude’s cold voice joined the conversation. “What right do you have to do that? Do you think you can look after her forever?”
was
A moment ago, he all excited about how to surprise Mia until he heard a man announcing his will to look after her forever.
He himself had made many empty promises, but he never walked the talk. Not even once!
Claude, the playboy, understood a man’s nature very well.
Felix saw the handsome man and quickly explained, “You must be Mia’s brother too. Nice to meet you. You don’t know me well, but I’m serious about her. I want to look after her forever.”
“What do you have to do that? Do you earn over a million dollars a year?”
Claude dropped the fatal question, despite it being their first meeting. It completely caught Felix.
off guard.
He replied awkwardly, “I’m running a studio. Everything’s stable for now, but my income isn’t as high as that. Still, I have the confidence to accomplish that target someday.”
As long as Mia’s brothers invested in his business, an income of over a million dollars would be a piece of cake.
re
Claude arched his brow, grinning. “Someday? Who are you giving empty promises, dude? You can approach my sister after you accomplish that target. You’re unqualified at the moment.
“How dare you confess to her when you don’t even meet the minimum requirement?” That was such a straightforward yet cruel remark.
Mortified, Felix looked at Connor. “I genuinely like Mia. I can sacrifice my life for her. I did the same when she was kidnapped.
“Money doesn’t mean everything, but sincerity does. As her brothers, I bet you guys wish she could marry for love instead of money, don’t you?”
Claude asked Connor. “This guy saved Mia before?”
Connor nodded. “Yes, when she was kidnapped. He’s the owner of the studio Mia worked at.”
Claude’s gaze returned to Felix. “So, it was you.”
Felix felt fortunate for taking the injury previously. “Yes, that was me. When Mia’s in trouble, I’m willing to do anything at all costs, including my life.”
“We do owe you a favor for that.” Connor was wavered.
However, Claude didn’t think the same as he snorted at Felix. “Stop playing tricks with me. You simply bulldozed your way in and were taken down in one strike. They managed to kidnap Mia anyway. Did you have the power to get her out of there?”
Another counterattack.
Suppressing his displeasure, Felix remained gentle. “That was a sneak attack. I didn’t expect them to make a scene in this big city.
“I’ll learn self¨Cdefense in the future to protect Mia’s safety. I will never let the same thing happen again!”
“There you go again. You should stop your business. Someone who only knows making empty. promises ain’t fit for running a business.” Claude was clearly treating Felix with contempt.
He continued while looking his nose down at Felix. “And why do you only know how to make empty promises? Because you don’t have what it takes to turn them into reality. This won’t work.
on us.”
Felix broke in a cold sweat. His cowardly side fed off the guilt building in him, his eyes couldn’t meet Claude’s,
It was as if the latter could see through his schemes!
Noticing that Claude had crossed the line with his words, Connor cleared his throat. “Enough. We can’t deny that Felix had helped us out back there.”
Felix’s eyes glittered in anticipation again. “Although I didn’t help out much, I’m serious about Mia
“It is true that you didn’t help out much, but I still acknowledge your goodwill. At the same time. I think my brother has a point.
“Felix, if you’re serious about Mia, show us your sincerity and stop making empty promises. It’s easier said than done.” Connor interrupted.
Felix nodded in response. “I know. I will prove it to you one day.”
At that moment, Mia had reached the gates. There standing by the road were those three men.
She didn’t expect to see Felix there too. Her expression changed as she didn’t know what he was up to again.
Claude waved his hand at her. “Mia, over here!”
She came up to them. The sight of the red roses repulsed her.
Felix ran up to Mia before she could react. “Mia, this is for you. An apology gift. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
She frowned. “Felix, didn’t I make myself clear? I don’t like you.”
It was a mystery why he wouldn’t back down.
“Mia, Tve explained the situation to your brothers and they understood my stance. I’ll prove to them that I’m the one who can bring you happiness,” he insisted, still holding the bouquet toward her.
Mia stared at her brother in disbelief. Did they really believe in Felix’s words?
Annoyed, Claude stepped forward and snatched the roses away. “Lies. Since when did we understand your stance? Mind explaining?”
Felix gulped before gazing at Connor. “Didn’t I explain it a while ago?”
Feeling uncomfortable, Connor gave him a cold attitude. “Felix, I don’t intervene in my sister’s relationships. It’s her freedom to choose whoever she wants to be with. But she said that she doesn’t like you, loud and clear.”
“It’s alright. I can wait. I can work harder.” Felix was anxious.
Connor abruptly grasped Felix’s shoulder. “She doesn’t like you. What you’re doing is harassment.”
Claude tossed the roses onto the ground and stomped them. “Felix, I’m warning you, don’t think of laying eyes on someone out of your league.
“That applies to Mia, so brush off whatever you’re planning and get the hell out of here, She won’t like it.” As a playboy himself, Claude had seen all kinds of tricks.
He could tell that Felix was up to no good at the very first glance. He couldn’t entrust Mia to someone like Felix.
At first, the possibility of Mia getting deceived by Felix’s cheap tricks worried Claude. How could he stop it if that event came to pass?
Fortunately, Mia didn’t like Felix at all.
Losing against the duo, Felix made himself scarce in the end.
Mia sighed in relief. “What did he tell you guys?”
“Nothing, just a bunch of nonsense. Thank god you’re smart enough to see through that bastard’s tricks.” Claude glossed it over.
“It’s a long story.” She didn’t know where to start from.
“Let’s get in the car first. We have all the time to talk,” suggested Connor.
They got into the car and Claude spoke up. “Mia, here’s a piece of advice from me¨Cdon’t ever give in to this kind of cheap trick. Got it?”
She couldn’t follow him. “Cheap trick?”
“That’s right. Men like Felix only know how to talk big, giving you empty promises and granting all your wishes.
“Giving you roses or bringing you breakfast every single day is a basic trick. They’ll spoil you and do everything you ask for. Romantic, isn’t it? But do you think that they’re genuine?”
She nodded. “That sounds like Felix.”
However, Felix didn’t do that for her before.
Claude continued, “These are cheap tricks. Don’t give in to a pestering man. They don’t have anything, so that’s the only way they can woo you.
“With their time at costs, it doesn’t use up a lot of their money. Watch out for this kind of man.
Don’t fall for it.”
Silence dawned upon her for a moment. “Claude, are you projecting yourself?”
Mia had watched Claude in his playboy mode back at the hotel before.
Claude was at a loss for words. He cleared his throat before answering. “I know how this kind of man acts because this is how I am. As for that Felix or Phoenix guy, I could tell that he’s up to no good right away.”
If it had been the past, Mia would’ve rebutted his remarks.