Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Sharon was annoyed as well. “Tim, I told you to come here. What are you doing?”
Upon hearing that, Mia gave him a meaningful smile. What would he do in this situation?
Without hesitation, Timothy draped his arm over Mia’s shoulders and pulled her into an embrace.
Mia felt a tingling sensation from the weight of his arm and the warmth from his palm.
Timothy then intimately walked with her toward Sharon. Sharon’s nostrils. flared with rage.
Despite that, Timothy merely calmly said, “Mom, this is my girlfriend.”
Mia flashed a pristine smile. “Happy birthday, Mrs. Barrett.”
Sharon’s chest heaved with barely contained fury. She had invited Nikki to the party, hoping to bridge the gap between Timothy and Nikki.
She assumed Timothy would at least show her some respect, yet he had calmly declared Mia as his girlfriend. Sharon was enraged.
The air turned awkward.
Meanwhile, Nikki was on the verge of bursting into tears.
“Tim, come with me. I have to speak with you.” Sharon had had enough.
He narrowed his eyes at Sharon before looking at Mia. “The party’s starting soon. You should grab something to eat.”
en, the mother and son left.
It was refreshing to see how Sharon’s angry trudges carried her away.
Happiness would double when it was about someone else’s misfortune.
Shelly grinned, “Monalize, oh, can I call you Mona?”
Veronica interrupted, “Shelly, stop getting ahead of yourself. Being a girlfriend doesn’t mean anything
Nikki agreed. “That’s right.”
Shelly clucked her tongue. “You’re just jealous. I wonder who has been the one dreaming of being Timothy’s girlfriend all this time, though?”
Unable to rein in her emotions anymore, Nikki lashed out, “Stop acting like we’re beneath you, Shelly Barrett! We all know that those are imitations that you are wearing!”
That pricked Mia’s guilty conscience. Had she noticed?
She shouldn’t have!
Mia glanced over at Nikki, wondering how she’d realized that Shelly was wearing a fake. She had the real one with her, but no one had the chance to sneak a glance at it. How could she possibly tell its authenticity?
In the next instant, Shelly replied confidently, “I did wear a knockoff before, but I bought everything I’m wearing now at the private fashion show yesterday. You’re not even eligible to receive an invitation, so stop yapping.”
Another socialite chimed in, “Shelly, did you really buy all the haute couture from yesterday’s show? You didn’t even save a piece for us!”
“Oh, Mrs. Mayweather! It’s all thanks to Monalize’s platinum membership card that I got to select the pieces in advance. She bought them for me too!”
Shelly’s tone was laced with triumph as she shot a proud look at Nikki. “You get it now, don’t you?”
Nikki fell silent immediately.
Mia heaved a sigh of relief. Shelly probably wore a lot of knockoffs back then because she couldn’t afford the genuine pieces. Realizing that Shelly hadn’t found out about the highly identical dress she had replaced for her, she was relieved.
alize, let’s go over there and have something delicious. I heard the chef is from a famous five¨Cstar Micilin restaurant. Not everyone gets to taste his food.”
Mia smiled and left the garden with Shelly. They both headed toward the dining area on the lawn nearby.
Nikki stomped her feet in frustration. “Mom, who is that woman? What if she’s really Mia Bowen?”
“She’s definitely not. She’s just a fake.”
Still, Amelia felt quite uncertain. However, Timothy did remain single for four years after his divorce and steered clear of other women.
Just then, Luna fell behind deliberately and approached them. “Don’t fret, Ms. Chapman. I heard that Ms. Monalize is a divorcee with a sick daughter. She’s incomparable to you.”
Nikki became wary. “What are you implying? Are you trying to curry favor with me?”
“You’ve misunderstood, Ms. Chapman. I’m nothing compared to your status, so I can’t pose any threat to you. It’s just that Ms. Monalize is known for her hostility. She definitely wouldn’t accommodate my child and me. But Ms. Chapman, you’re so kind and generous. I know you won’t let us end up on the streets.”
Amelia’s smile widened. “Thanks for the insight, Ms. Maynard. Rest assured. Nikki isn’t petty, so it won’t be a problem for us to take your child under our wing.”
Luna’s status wasn’t respectable, after all. The inheritance would never fall in Asher’s favor, so Amelia figured it was enough to just spare them some money to scrape by.
o
A cold glint flickered in her eyes when Luna saw Amelia’s and Nikki’s expressions. Her expression remained a perfect mask of feebleness to let the Chapmans¡® guards down.
Nikki and Amelia promptly returned to the dining area, where most of the guests were gathered.
Mia selected appetizers, desserts, and main courses. She intended to taste the food. She’d arrange for them to be replaced should they turn out bad.
“This dessert is too sweet to my liking. Do they have such an overwhelming sweet tooth in Nord City?” Lillian Mayweather set her plate down after a bite. She didn’t seem to like it.
Mia chanced a glance at her and gave the same dessert Lillian tried a bite. It..
was indeed too sweet.
She’d been observing the socialites¡® feedback on the food, making mental notes as she went along. If she won over their palates, Aide Castle would soon rise to fame in Bern City. Her business would be thriving by then.
Luna suddenly said, “Ms. Monalize, you took a lot of food. Can you finish all of them?”
Her words drew everyone’s attention.
Mia did have a couple of small plates in front of her, which appeared abundant despite the modest portions of food on each plate.
Mia smirked. “I just wanna have a taste of everything. I have a big appetite, so they won’t all go to waste.”
Nikki threw in a sharp comment, “Oh, wow, Ms. Monalize. Anyone who didn’t know better might think this is your first time seeing food. We eat modestly, after all.”
“Modestly? Nikki, with all due respect, your face was practically buried in- that foie gras plate! There was literally nothing left! If someone didn’t know you better, they might think you had a goose vendetta. Such impudence!” Shelly fired back.
Lillian could no longer bear it. “Ms. Monalize, I heard you have a daughter. Why didn’t you bring her over today?”
The other socialites all glanced over at Mia upon Lillian’s words.
Mia was unfazed. “My daughter’s feeling a little under the weather, so I didn’t let her come.
“Ms. Monalize, having a daughter isn’t a big deal. Why are you keeping her from us? You’ll have to introduce her to people sooner or later. You can’t just abandon your kid because you want to become Mr. Barrett’s girlfriend, can you?”
“She didn’t have to worry since she has a daughter. If she has a son, things would become awkward.
ng how they gossiped freely about her child, Mia’s smile waned. She set down her utensils. This is why I didn’t want my daughter to be here.”
“Why?” Lillian arched a brow.
“Because she’s allergic to these old hags¡® gossips!” Mia drawled, her tone calm and biting.
Lillian’s expression shifted. “Ms. Monalize, what are you implying? Are you saying that we’re a bunch of gossiping old hags?”
“Whoever admits it is the gossiping old hag.”
Afrostiness settled over Mia’s features. Their remarks regarding her were of no concern, yet the line was drawn when it came to her child. This boundary was unwavering, a sensitive area she fiercely protected.
Lillian slammed the table in anger, “Watch your words! Do you even have a sense of courtesy?”
“Some people don’t deserve it. They deserve to be taught a lesson instead. Otherwise, they’ll never know when to shut up!” Mia was unyielding. She came for the party, not to become their target. Why should she endure their taunts?
Palpable tension hung in the air.
Shelly interjected sharply, “Ms. Monalize, pay them no mind. It’s absurd for them to parade as high¨C society elites when their own company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and acquisition.”
Amelia retorted abruptly, “We have no intention of being acquired! Our plan is simply to collaborate with Techsphere in Nord City.”
Mia’s expression flickered. Nathan owned Techsphere. What a coincidence!
“Everyone knows the Chapmans are running out of funds. Techsphere. would be dumb to invest in you. It’s definitely an acquisition. Quit the act!” Shelly just learned about the gossip from her friends.
Amelia was seething. “Shelly, judging by how close you are with Ms.
Monalize, you must’ve been on good terms with Mr. Barrett’s wife, right? Did you treat Ms. Monalize as her substitute?”
“No way! I hate Mia Bowen. Stop spouting nonsense! That woman doesn’t deserve Timothy at all. Monalize is way different from that woman.”
when you’re identical to a dead woman?”
“Shelly, stop flattering me.” Mia smiled suggestively, yet her smile genuine.
Flustered, Nikki blurted out, “Ms. Monalize, how can you look so de when you’re identical to a dead woman?”