Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“Shut up, Shelly!” Sharon’s face felt hot. She attempted to book a reservation at Andrews to experience the exquisite service herself, only to be rejected. She never revealed the humiliating incident to the public, yet she was once again mortified when she learned that Mia’s banquet would be held at Andrews.
Amused, Liam chanced a glance at Sharon. Disdain flashed across his eyes as he quipped. “There’s always a way to get in line¨Cprovided that you’re qualified enough to do so.”
The realization finally dawned on Shelly, rendering her speechless.
Eva chimed in magnanimously. “You are all invited to the banquet as well if you’re free by then. Mia has been staying with Barretts for the past three years, after all. I’m sure she’s on good terms with you all, so of course we’d like you to attend such a significant event.”
The socialites nodded. “O¨COf course we’re coming.” Not everyone deserved a chance to visit Andrews.
Glancing over at Sharon, Eva continued, “Mrs. Barrett, I hope you’ll kindly grace us with your presence as well. Guests will be accommodated at the hotel. Didn’t you miss the reservation before? Now’s your chance to experience it.”
Sharon looked like someone had just punched the living daylights out of her. She forced a smile and replied, “It depends. I might not be free by then.”
“My schedule is definitely open,” Shelly added instantly, earning a glare from Sharon.
Sharon thought Shelly lacked dignity. Couldn’t she tell that Eva was clearly mocking their family? Why was she so eager to be humiliated?
Sharon’s interest in Andrews dissipated quickly. Infuriated, she was determined to not let Mia remarry Timothy. The last thing she wanted was to let Mia take complete charge of the household, subsequently causing her to lose all her authority.
The others began discussing the upcoming banquet that was going to be held at Andrews, which was located in Nord City. The upper crust had heard of it, but their attempts to book a reservation there were usually in vain, let alone hosting a huge banquet at Andrews. Only prominent figures deserved such opportunities despite the rare occasions of Andrews catering to such banquets.
Almost all the socialites swooned over Mia and Eva. Sharon was seething, because no one bothered with her except Tabitha and Shelly.
Seeing how everyone swooned over Mia, Shelly stomped her feet in frustration as she whined, “Aunt Sharon, look how smug she is now!”
Sharon snorted. “No one asked for your two cents.” She was aware of it too.
“Aunt Sharon, it’s not like I’m wrong. Anyone here would think Mia’s actually the host, instead of you. She’s already divorced from Timothy, she doesn’t have the right to steal the show today!”
Sharon was well aware of this, but she couldn’t afford to offend Mia since she was the daughter of the
Lane family now.
Sharon might be the Lady of the Barrett family, but Laura was more superior than her. Timothy couldn’t care less about her either. There was nothing she could do.
Struggling to mask her defiance, she said with an awkward expression. “Right, I assume everyone’s tired from all that talk. Why don’t you all grab something to eat?”
In fact, Mia felt quite hungry. She strode toward the dining area and grabbed some food. Eva was standing next to her. “Mia, did you see Mrs. Barrett’s expression earlier? I noticed that her necklace was quite exquisite as well. It’s a piece worn by the Duchess, but of course, it’s incomparable to yours. Yours has been worn by the Queen.”
“Sharon¨CI mean, Mrs. Barrett. She’s obsessed with comparing herself with others. What you said earlier must’ve hurt her badly.” She figured Sharon would be awash in dread.
Mia flashed a smile at Eva, reverting her gaze to her bracelet. “Eva, you’ve never told me how priceless this bracelet is.” She glanced up at Eva with teary eyes.
Dominic leaned over, chiming in, “Mia, Eva adores you. She doesn’t even lend it to me when I ask her.”
Liam nodded. “Exactly. I borrowed Eva’s collection for a shoot back then, and she literally charged me for that.” 1
Eva raised a brow. “You’re guys, and Mia’s a sweet little girl. The audacity of you to compare yourselves to her!”
Mia chuckled. Their banter always made her feel content.
She suddenly felt a familiar, intense gaze fixated on her. She spun around casually, and she wasn’t surprised when she met Timothy’s eyes. However, she couldn’t read his emotions from his darkened gaze.
Her gaze swept past him as she averted her gaze promptly. She wasn’t looking at him anymore, but the intensity of his stare was jarring.
Feeling slightly uneasy, she wondered why he kept staring at her. His stare made her extremely uncomfortable. She could barely focus on her food.
When Mia reached over for the fruits, a server accidentally bumped into her.
“Argh!” She quickly steadied herself, propping herself up against the table after she collided with the server.
The glass of red wine the server was holding was knocked over. The wine spilled, and a few drops of them splattered across Mia’s dress.
The server immediately knelt on the floor, blurting out her apology in a haste, “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry! It was an accident!” She was wiping the stains off Mia’s dress as she apologized.
Unfortunately, Mia’s lavish dress couldn’t afford to be stained. Once it was soiled, it was nearly impossible to clean the stains.
The stains on Mia’s dress were obvious despite the server’s meticulous effort to wipe them off.
The Lane brothers dashed toward her and fussed. “Mia, are you okay?”
Liam fretted the most out of the six brothers. He dragged her wrist, asking. “Do you feel any discomfort?”
“No. J was just shocked. I lost focus when I was walking earlier, and I accidentally crashed into her tray.” Mia was distracted because of Timothy’s unwavering gaze on her.
Dominic scowled at the server, who was crouching on the ground. “What’s the matter with you?”
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault, but I didn’t do it on purpose! I’m really sorry! I’m new here, and I can’t afford to lose this job.”
“Never mind. I’m fine, after all. Only the dress is stained.” Her gaze dipped, and she sighed when she saw the wine stains on the hem of her dress. “Is it very difficult to get rid of these?*
Eva took her hand. “It doesn’t matter if the dress is dirtied. You can just wear it once. Wear something new at the next banquet.”
Connor was alarmed. “Mia, you should rest at the lounge.”
“Alright. The urge to clean the stains off her dress overwhelmed her. The red stains stood out like a sore thumb on her white dress.
As the Lane brothers huddled her away, the server, who had been crouching on the ground, glanced up at Mia’s direction. A cold glint flickered in her eyes.
Mia suddenly turned around after a few steps. She realized that the server was moving toward the other end of the hall after clearing away the glass.
A hint of suspicion gleamed in her eyes. She realized that the server looked familiar¨Cshe resembled Dana. She couldn’t make out her features clearly since the server had her head hung low the entire time.
Perhaps she was mistaken. The server sounded nothing like Dana, after all.
Mia simply shrugged it off. As her brothers and her approached the hall’s exit, Timothy went up to them.”
I’ll get the maid to prepare your clothes.”
Dominic turned around. “No need. I’ll get someone to buy her a new set of clothes for her to change into.” The other brothers stood in front of Timothy as well, shielding Mia from him.
Mia stared at him. “No need. My brothers will take care of that for me.”
Timothy swallowed, and continued in a strained voice, “Your old clothes are still here. I actually meant for you to change back into your old clothes. Grandma didn’t tamper with your room, so your things are still there.”
She was suddenly at a loss for words.
Just then, Laura strode over to them from the hall. “Mia, what happened to your dress? Why don’t you go upstairs and change into something else? Your clothes are still in your room.”
Mia could refuse Timothy’s offer, but she couldn’t bring herself to rebuke Laura. She nodded. “Alright.”
Connor interrupted, “Let the maid get the clothes down here. She’ll get changed in the lounge.” His disdain for the Barretts was so palpable that he made it clear that he didn’t want Mia to go to her bedroom upstairs to get changed.
Mia followed her brothers to the lounge. Meanwhile, Laura glanced at Timothy and asked, “Tim, do you regret it?”
1
Feeling helpless, Timothy croaked, “Grandma, you’re making it worse.”
“Fine. As your grandma, I’ve already done what I can to help you out.”
Timothy was perplexed. “Grandma, why doesn’t she let me court her?”
“Why does she have to? Did you tell her that you’re going to court her because you’ve fallen in love with her, or did you offer her an apology and swore that she’s your only love, and you simply can’t give up on her?”
His expression grew awkward. He cleared his throat and spluttered, “D¨CDo I have to say that?” He couldn’t bring himself to say that out loud with a crowd watching them.
“What else did you expect? Are you assuming she’s going to go back to you after giving her a gift? Is she your pet?”
Laura stared at Timothy, utterly exasperated at how dense he was. She knew how daunting it was for him to make a heartfelt confession to Mia.
She sighed. “I’m a bit tired. I need to rest.
“Go ahead.” Timothy watched Laura enter the elevator as he remained rooted on the same spot. Her words lingered in his mind. His throat dipped as a determination flared in his eyes.
“Tim.” Luna strode toward him from the corridor. Holding a gift box, she spoke carefully, “I noticed Mrs. Barrett Senior went back to rest. Can I meet her for a quick chat?”
Timothy frowned. “Grandma doesn’t want to see you for now, so that’s a no.” He left promptly, leaving a mortified Luna behind.
She could’ve made a grand appearance at today’s banquet, wearing the same opulent gown and jewelry as the other socialites. Yet, she couldn’t fathom why Laura detested meeting her even though she was so kind toward Mia, an outsider.
Soon, Kaleb approached her. “Ms. Maynard, Mr. Barrett instructed me to see you out.”
Luna’s gaze hardened, yet she didn’t utter a word as she pivoted and left. Kaleb didn’t follow her. Instead, a maid accompanied her. She finally stopped walking after they’d advanced further.
“You said you were going to work with me. What’s the plan?”
Dana glanced up and grinned. She whispered, “Follow me.”
Luna clenched her jaw, chancing one last glance at the glamorous hall before she left.
Mia barely managed to collect herself after the incident when she sat down in the lounge. Fortunately, only her dress was stained and she was fine.
Confor poured a glass of water for her. “That was close, huh?”