Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Throughout the journey, Shelly had harbored doubts, pondering whether Monalize, too, had fallen prey to someone else’s deceit.
Enraged, Shelly hurled the replica handbag she had been holding to the ground. “We have no grievances between us, so why resort to using these counterfeit goods to deceive me? Do you not have any shame?”
Mia remained composed as she responded, “We’re not exactly close, so it’s surprising that you shamelessly turn to me every time you want something.
“The total value of these luxury items amounts to millions of dollars. Since you boldly demanded them, I had to resort to such measures to minimize my losses.”
“Who would have imagined that the heiress of the Barrett family would be in such dire financial straits?”
At that moment, Luna emerged from the passenger seat and walked up to Shelly. “Shelly, it seems she’s been deliberately cozying up to you with an agenda from the beginning. Do you finally see her true colors?”
Upon Luna’s arrival, Mia finally realized how someone as gullible as Shelly could quickly identify the high¨Cquality counterfeits.
Shelly was boiling with rage. She had become the subject of ridicule for flaunting fake goods, and numerous people were demanding refunds. Some even threatened to take legal action against her if she failed to comply.
Glaring at Mia, Shelly exclaimed, “Don’t think for a second that this is over. I’ve already sold half of those counterfeit items you gave me, and now these people are all demanding refunds. You better cough up the money!”
Mia retorted with a mocking expression, “Did I personally take the money you earned from selling those bags?”
Shelly became somewhat defensive. “Why does it matter if I was the one who collected it? It’s all gone now anyway. If it weren’t for you giving me counterfeit goods, I wouldn’t be getting chased for refunds now.”
“That’s your problem since you collected the money,” Mia retorted.
“If you don’t compensate me, I’ll sue you for selling counterfeit goods!”
Mia smirked in response. “I gave them to you, but I didn’t tell you to sell them. If you’re not satisfied, feel free to find a lawyer and sue me whenever you like.”
Enraged, Shelly snapped, “Hold on a minute! Who said you could leave? If you don’t explain yourself now, don’t even think about walking away!”
Mia’s gaze turned icy as she looked at the two bodyguards standing before her. She gazed at Shelly and asked, “Are you serious?”
Without hesitation, she raised her hand, summoning a group of bodyguards to surround them.
The imposing bodyguards encircled Shelly and Luna.
Mia stayed rooted on the spot calmly, her gaze focused on Shelly who seemed to have shrunken from cowardice.
Mia asked, “What did you say? I didn’t catch you clearly. Mind saying it once more?”
Shelly’s face drained of color as she stuttered, “I¨CI’m Shelly Barrett! If you hurt me, my family will never let you get away with it!”
Mia snorted. “Very well. I shall make your wish come true. I’ll strip you guys off and wait for your family to come at me.”
Following that, the bodyguards trapped Shelly and Luna in a circle.
Shelly screamed, “What do you think you’re doing! I’m Shelly Barrett! Tim will never let you go if you do this!”
Luck wasn’t on Shelly and Luna’s side. They just had to confront Mia when she happened to be in a bad mood.
Mia decided to let off some steam by playing with them.
Coldness shrouded Mia’s eyes. “How about this? You both discuss who’ll stay and who’ll leave.”
Luna huffed, “Ms. Monalize, you’re trying to drive a wedge between Shelly and I. Just how low can you stoop?”
“It is embarrassing, but it works, doesn’t it? That’s all that matters. You have ten seconds. Ten, nine, eight…” Mia began the countdown.
Shelly was drenched in cold sweat as she looked at Luna. “I’m still young. I’ll be marrying someone in the future. I’ll go, y¨Cyou’ll stay. Tim will surely treat you well if he knows you saved me.”
Luna retorted, “Are you out of your mind, Shelly Barrett? This woman doesn’t have the guts to commit such a thing in broad daylight. Don’t be a scaredy cat because of what she said, jeez!”
“Since you’re this brave, you can stay. I’m out of here!” Shelly shoved Luna and ran away without looking back. Even her heels were abandoned.
Mia chuckled and mocked Luna, “Look at the useless trash you tried so hard to butter up. Did you do that to have a taste of how fast people can turn against you?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself! The Barretts know your true colors now. You don’t stand a chance at all,” Luna retorted.
Mia arched a brow. “Well, do I care? Only foolish women would bet everything they had on a man.”
“You don’t know everything. You wouldn’t know what you would have done if you were poor. “Luna’s gaze darted to Mia’s bodyguards and the luxury brands Mia was wearing.
Jealousy consumed Luna. Luna believed that Mia wouldn’t have been able to act this high and mighty if she had been born poor.
“You’ve finally acted like yourself. Do you admit you love money now?” Mia asked.
“Money’s the reason why everything goes your way. If you were poor, it would’ve been otherwise,” Luna said.
Mia wasn’t taken aback by Luna’s remark. “Even if I was poor, I would at least uphold my morals. Unlike you.”
“Stop pretending! No one knows where you got that money from. You better get the hell out of Bern City with your sickly daughter! And never come back! There’s no place in the Barrett family for the both of you!”
Right after those words were uttered by Luna, Mia delivered a slap across Luna’s face.
Covering her stinging cheek, Luna shrieked, “How dare you!”
“Have you forgotten about those sharks on Xavier Island?” Mia grabbed Luna’s hair. “I warned you. Do not anger me. You’ve crossed the line by mentioning my daughter. Let’s call it a day with a slap today. Next time, it won’t be this simple anymore.”
Mia released her and left. It would only be a waste of time staying here.
Luna stood over there in a haggard state, her tongue licking her bloody lips.
She vowed in silent, “You cherish your daughter so much, huh? You’re going to regret this! I’ll make you beg for mercy on your knees!”
—
As soon as Mia returned to her place, she called Nicholas. “The plane will land in Nord City tomorrow morning. After that, I’ll leave matters here to you.”
“What about you? What if Timothy finds out about this?”
“It’s alright. Timothy found out about it anyway. This is the Barretts¡® territory after all. Keeping a secret from him isn’t easy. Thankfully, the bone marrow along with Ginger have been safely delivered to Nord City.”
“Did he make things difficult for you?” Nicholas asked, feeling concerned about Mia’s wellbeing.
Mia suddenly thought of the argument that happened on the rooftop of the hospital.
Nonetheless, she recounted calmly, “Nothing I couldn’t settle. I’m Mia Lane. Can he do anything to me?”
“Take a private flight back then,” Nicholas suggested.
“Yeah, I’m thinking the same thing, but I want to go see Aunt Patricia before I leave. It’s already late now, so I’m going to meet her tomorrow morning.
“Maybe have breakfast with her before heading back. Timothy already found out about it anyway. Returning early won’t make any difference.”
The next time she would come to Bern City would be a few months later, so she didn’t want to miss the chance to meet Patricia.
She really hoped to have a meal with Patricia before leaving Bern City.
It had been four years since Mia last met Patricia after all.
Nicholas went silent for a moment. “Okay. Just be careful. If the Barretts threaten you, call us right away.”
“Got it. Please look after Sage for me.”
“Don’t me.”
worry. He’s not only your precious son. I watched him grow up too. He’s like a son to
They engaged in small talk before terminating the call.
Timothy had found out that Mia had sent the donated bone marrow and Ginger back to Nord City, including the fact that she had been lying to him the past few days.
However, she wasn’t afraid at all.
Compared to how the Barretts treated her in the past, what she did to him was nothing.
Mia massaged her temples. Recently, there had been unfamiliar images crossing her mind.
They seemed to be related to the Barrett family.
It seemed like she would regain her memories soon.
The next morning, Mia bought a lot of stuff before visiting Patricia.
Mia was going to leave after lunch, so she wanted to cherish the time she had with Patricia.
Mia’s visit was a pleasant surprise to Patricia. “Mia, why did you buy so many things? You could’ve just come empty¨Chanded.”
“How could I do that when I wasn’t by your side for years? These are good for your health.”
“Mia, your brothers actually asked someone to buy me supplements and good food every year. I’m as fit as a fiddle! I took a body checkup not long ago. And the doctor told me to refrain from eating too much and exercise regularly,” Patricia said light¨Cheartedly.
They sat on the couch. Mia gave it a thought before revealing, “Aunt Patricia, I’m going to return to Nord City today. I’ll see you again some other time.”
Disappointment colored Patricia’s eyes, but she cheered herself up the next second. “It’s alright. Tell me earlier before you come next time so that I can make your favorite food for you.”