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Timothy’s anger flared. “Why must I do everything myself? What purpose do you serve here if I have to do all the work?”
After scrutinizing the data on his laptop, Mia spoke up, “If the research data is accurate, then the issue probably lies in how it’s being presented.”
Following Mia’s remark, the video conference fell into a sudden hush.
Everyone exchanged surprised glances, unsure of who had just spoken.
One of the employees pointed toward Timothy’s profile picture on the screen, suggesting that the voice seemed to have come from there.
The rest of the team stared wide¨Ceyed in astonishment. Could it be that Timothy had a female colleague with him?
Turning his gaze toward Mia, Timothy inquired, “How did you come to that conclusion?”
Mia rolled her eyes and said, “Well,
Subordinates often make these basic mistakes when reporting financial work. I’ve grown accustomed to it.”
Timothy’s eyes betrayed a hint of amusement, but as he redirected his focus to the laptop screen, the smile on his face vanished instantly.
His voice turned cold as he asked, “Do you know what needs to be done now? Or do you still need my help fixing the data?”
“No, we can handle it. We’ll verify it immediately.”
With that, Timothy promptly closed his laptop, appearing somewhat fatigued as he rubbed his temples.
Empathizing with his exhaustion, Mia remarked, “Being a CEO can be quite draining. It’s incredibly frustrating working with subordinates who don’t seem to learn despite your best efforts to teach them.”
Timothy lowered his hand and regarded Mia curiously. “Ms. Monalize, what kind of business do you typically engage in?”
Realizing her slip¨Cup, Mia swiftly improvised, saying, “It’s just a family business, nothing special. We managed to get by. It’s not as impressive as your accomplishments, Mr. Barrett, especially at your age.”
Timothy’s gaze intensified as he asked, “After four years, have you still not remembered anything from the past?”
“Not really,” Mia responded, stealing a glance at him. She couldn’t help but feel a sudden sense of wariness creeping into her heart.
Fortunately, Timothy didn’t press further. It seemed like his earlier question was merely a casual remark.
Before long, the car came to a stop.
Mia spotted a well¨Cknown restaurant outside, a name that carried significance even in Nord City, with branches established there too.
Surprised, Mia turned to Timothy and asked, “Mr. Barrett, why have you brought me here?”
“To eat,” Timothy replied curtly, swiftly opening the car door and stepping out.
Mia had no choice but to comply, saying, “I’ve already had my meal, but I can join you for lunch. If it weren’t for your upcoming hospitalization, Mr. Barrett, you wouldn’t be so busy today. Let me treat you today.”
“I prefer not to let women pay.”
With that, Timothy walked into the private lounge. The waiter quickly approached to pour water before discreetly stepping away.
Mia settled into her chair, taking in the ambiance of the room. However, she couldn’t help but notice Timothy’s intense stare fixed on her.
She raised her glass, attempting to divert his attention. “Mr. Barrett, why are you staring at me like that? Do I look exceptionally beautiful today?”
“When are you planning to bring Ginger back to Nord City?”
Upon hearing Timothy’s question, Mia responded cautiously, “Well, I plan to bring Ginger back to Nord City once you’re admitted to the hospital.”
Tomorrow, then?”
“Yes, because Ginger also needs to prepare for the bone marrow donation process in the vacuum chamber.”
As Mia spoke, she couldn’t help but notice Timothy’s intense gaze fixed on her.
Taking a deep breath, she continued, “Mr. Barrett, you’re well aware that once Ginger enters the vacuum chamber, her fate hinges on your bone marrow donation. Without it, she faces a grim outcome.”
“Since you’re so skeptical, why not have Ginger undergo her treatment in Bern City? The hospital there also has a vacuum chamber.
“This way, we can proceed with the treatment in person, and you won’t have to worry about me backing out halfway.”
“No, that’s not an option,” Mia firmly declined.
After all, Ginger couldn’t stay in Bern City; it would risk exposing their secret.
Timothy’s gaze intensified. “Why not?”
“Because, well, as I’ve mentioned before, treating Ginger in Nord City would be more conducive to her recovery, considering it’s her home.”
Timothy couldn’t help but feel skeptical at her response. “But Ginger is originally from Bern City.”
“Ginger grew up in Nord City, so she’s considered a resident there,” Mia clarified. “My previous remark was merely a casual observation, Mr. Barrett. I didn’t mean to raise doubts about your intentions.”
Mia smiled faintly as she poured water into Timothy’s cup. “Please don’t take it, the wrong way, Mr. Barrett.”
Observing Mia’s evasive behavior, Timothy couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been speaking in circles, hardly uttering a truthful word.
Yet, when it came to Ginger, she suddenly adopted a surprisingly humble stance.
Their conversation was interrupted as the waiter arrived with their dishes.
Before Mia, a peculiar¨Clooking ice cream was placed on the table.
With a spoon in hand, she commented, “This must be the restaurant’s signature dessert. It’s quite famous. Let me try it to see how it compares to the one in Nord
City.”
Taking a few bites, she suddenly discovered a large diamond ring nestled inside the ice cream.
She was taken aback. “There’s even a diamond ring. Did the restaurant mistakenly bring someone else’s engagement dessert here?”
Mia retrieved the diamond ring and placed it on a napkin. “Let me summon the waiter over.”
Seated across from her, Timothy’s voice resonated deeply as he spoke, “That wouldn’t be necessary.”
“Why not? It’s clearly an engagement ring. I didn’t anticipate this restaurant making such a straightforward mistake…”
As Mia’s words trailed off, she glanced at Timothy with a delayed realization. Could it possibly be from you?” she pondered aloud.
After all, a restaurant of this reputation shouldn’t make such basic errors.
That left only one possibility.
Setting down his cutlery, Timothy regarded her seriously. “Yes, I was the one who bought it.”
“Mr. Barrett, why would you suddenly give me a diamond ring? Are you proposing?”
Mia meticulously cleaned the ring, its evident quality hinting at substantial value. She couldn’t believe that someone as rigid and serious as Timothy would plan something so romantic!
“You could see it that way.”
“Mr. Barrett, considering we haven’t been dating for long, proposing like this seems a bit rushed,” Mia spoke up.
She felt something was off but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Initially, Mia had used the reishi mushroom as a pretext to deliberately ask to be Timothy’s girlfriend.
However, there wasn’t much contact between them afterward, let alone any progress in their relationship.
Nevertheless, Timothy’s demeanor toward her changed suddenly.
Looking up, he responded, “Indeed, we haven’t had much time together in these four years, but we’ll have plenty of time in the future.”
Mia’s expression froze. “Mr. Barrett, what exactly do you mean by that? I’m not sure I understand.”
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“Mia, there’s no use pretending any longer.”
In that instant, Mia felt her heart leap into her throat. Her mind raced as she tried to pinpoint where things had gone wrong.
Why would Timothy confront her so abruptly? Had he stumbled upon some incriminating evidence?
“Well, if you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes.”
Mla forced a smile. “Mr. Barrett, even though I resemble your ex¨Cwife, we are not the same person.”
“Then how do you explain this?” Timothy took out his phone and swiftly sent a photo to Mia’s WhatsApp.
Upon opening the message, Mia’s breath caught in her throat as she saw a photo of herself and Patricia together in the living room.
It appeared that her secret had been exposed.
No wonder Timothy had been behaving oddly since yesterday.