Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“Oh, is that so? I don’t recall you being so considerate back when I was footing the bill for groceries and cooking.
“Now that we’re divorced and I’ve achieved financial stability, you suddenly refuse to let women pay?
Seems a bit late for chivalry,” Mia retorted sharply.
The store clerk nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. As women, we should strive for self¨Creliance and financial independence,” she asserted.
“Exactly. Here, use my card,” Mia replied, handing over her bank card.
Once the transaction was done, she grabbed the box of scarves and walked away without looking back.
Watching her depart, Timothy was overcome by a sense of resignation. He couldn’t comprehend Caleb’s misguided belief that showering women with money would win their affection.
As he exited the mall, Timothy scanned the surroundings but couldn’t spot Mia anywhere. “Where did she go?” he inquired.
Rodger stammered, “S¨CShe hailed a cab.”
Timothy adjusted his tie, the stifling frustration in his heart growing ever since he discovered that Mia was the heiress of the Lane family.
As he entered the car, he said, “Let’s go.”
Meanwhile, Mia hummed a tune in the cab, feeling particularly cheerful.
In the e past, she was merely an orphan, devoid of any power or influence. While residing with the Barrett family, she consistently felt inferior and struggled to hold her head high.
14-
Undoubtedly, her newfound affluence brought great satisfaction.
Soon, the cab pulled up outside the Barrett residence.
With her hands casually tucked in her pockets, Mla made her way Into the Barrett residence.
Considering Laura had been discharged from the hospital, It seemed her recovery was progressing remarkably well.
Entering the living room with a warm smile, Mia greeted, “Grandma, I’ve come to see you.”
However, Laura was nowhere to be seen in the living room. Seated on the sofa instead were Dahlia
Simone and Dixie Walker, a mother¨Cand¨Cdaughter pair.
“Well, well, look who’s here. Isn’t it the former maid who was ousted from the Barrett family?”
“I know, right? Even after divorcing Timothy, she shamelessly refers to Mrs. Barrett Senior as ¡®Grandma.¡® It’s disgraceful how she’s using marriage to climb the social ladder like this.”
Mia sighed softly as she regarded Dahlia and Dixie: their presence caught her off guard.
They were Laura’s distant relatives, their connection so faint that it seemed they were hardly relatives at all
Nonetheless, Dahlia and Dixie shamelessly visited every year, pretending to be wealthy relatives of the Barrett family. They were always sarcastic and mocking toward Mia.
Mia arched an eyebrow and glanced over. “When it comes to climbing the social ladder, who can match your audacity? You arrive uninvited, yet you’re nothing more than distant relatives.”
Dahlia abruptly stood up. “Who are you referring to as distant relatives? The patriarch of Mrs. Barrett Senior and my grandfather originate from the same hometown, carry the same surname, and are linked by a shared lineage!”
With an air of haughtiness, Dixie, sporting her surgically altered face, remarked, “Isn’t it true? We’re undoubtedly better off than certain individuals who, even after divorce, have the nerve to show up uninvited.”
Just then, Kaleb approached with a plate of fruits.
Dixie swiftly intervened, “Kaleb, you’ve arrived just in time. Please, escort this woman out! She’s already divorced and still has the audacity to come here and bother us. Who knows what kind of trouble she might stir up!”
THE GRA
Ignoring Dahlia and Dixie, Kaleb respectfully informed Mia, “Mrs. Barrett Senior is still asleep from her nap.”
“That’s fine. I can wait.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Mia settled onto the single sofa across from them, white Kateb swiftly placed the fruits before her.
However, Dahlia rudely took the fruit platter and demanded. “Kaleb, these are not the fruits I like. Bring another platter!”
Observing Dahlia and Dixie’s behavior, Mla realized that they hadn’t changed one bit.
Kaleb responded with a stem expression, “These fruits are meant for Mrs. Barrett.”
“But she’s already divorced from Timothy! Why do you still address her as ¡®Mrs. Barrett¡®?
“We’re already being generous by not requesting her to leave. And yet, she still has the audacity to help herself to the fruits?”
*That’s right. These imported fruits are quite expensive. I highly doubt certain individuals could afford such luxuries now after leaving the Barrett family.”
Mia chose not to confront Dahlia and Dixie. Instead, she asked Kaleb, “Could you please bring them another plate of fruits?”
Kaleb promptly returned with a fresh plate of fruits, placing it in front of Dahlia and Dixle with a thud.
With grace, he then served Mia a glass of freshly squeezed juice.
“Thank you.” Mia acknowledged, accepting the drink and sipping it. She observed as Dahlia and Dixie took selfies with their juice, meticulously adjusting their angles for the perfect shot.
Feeling somewhat amused, Mia remarked, “If you keep squeezing in like that, you might just burst the implants in your fake breasts.”
Dixie immediately became defensive, asserting, “What do you mean by fake breasts? Mine are the real. deal passed down through genetics!”
Dahlia stood confidently, stating, “Absolutely! My daughter’s figure is naturally stunning. Some people can only envy and resent her because of their meager physique.”
“Yeah, genetically inherited implants!”
It seemed that Dahlia’s bust size changed every year, and this time, Dixie’s had too. Despite this, Dahlia and Dixie appeared unwilling to concede.
Turning to Mia, Dixie remarked, “Your outfit looks like it’s from a high¨Cend brand’s latest collection. Where did you find such a convincing knockoff?”
“I got it from the mall.”
“Haha, how did you manage to find such a convincing knockoff in a regular mall? Did you stumble upon it. in the flea market?”
Mia smiled knowingly. “Why don’t you take a quess?”
At that moment, the faint sound of a vehicle could be heard from outside the courtyard.
Dahlia and Disle exchanged a glance. “Dixle, could that be Tim returning?”
“I think so too, especially since Mrs. Barrett Senior has been discharged from the hospital. Tim is likely coming by for a visit, Mom, how do you like my makeup today? Do you think it’s striking enough?”
“It looks absolutely stunning! You’ll definitely captivate Tim today. Your future in high society is so close!
Some people can only envy you.”
Dahlia’s words stunned Mia, but she maintained her composure and continued to sip her juice.
In the distance, Dixie’s coquettish volce could be heard, “Oh, Tim I’ve missed you so much¨COuch!”
Just then, the courtyard echoed with Dixie’s anguished cries.
Glancing over, Mia caught sight of Dixie sprawled on the grass, her legs flailing awkwardly and pathetically.
A subtle smirk played on Mia’s lips as she observed Timothy walk in without acknowledging them.
“Can’t you be a bit more considerate toward Dixie?”
“Yeah, Dixie is your cousin, for goodness¡® sake! Why didn’t you catch her just now? Look at her condition!
Dahlia scolded, helping Dixie inside as she limped, her expression filled with disapproval.
Looking at Dahlia and Dixie, Timothy furrowed his brow. “Who are you two, anyway?”
In response to Timothy’s question, Mia burst into laughter. Could Timothy not recognize them?
Dahlia nervously interjected, “I’m your distant aunt, and Dixie is my daughter¨Cyour cousin!”
Timothy’s expression remained stoic. “I don’t have distant relatives, let alone distant cousins,” he insisted.
“Tim, you’re being quite harsh now, pretending not to know us.”
Growing increasingly impatient, Timothy instructed Kaleb, “Escort them out.”
Kaleb, who had long grown tired of Dahlia and Dixie, promptly intervened, stating, “Please follow me. The
As the situation took a negative turn, Dahlia hastily exclaimed, “Mrs. Barrett Senior, could you please come out and settle this?
“We heard you were discharged from the hospital, so we brought gifts to visit you. We never expected to be kicked out!”
Frowning, Mia retorted, “Hush, you’ll wake Grandma.”
Weren’t they aware that Laura was resting?