Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“By the way, Connor mentioned that Timothy also arrived in Nord City. Is that true?”
“Yes, he accompanied me to Nord City. Unfortunately, he got into a confrontation with Claude at the airport yesterday, and now Timothy remains hospitalized.”
Nicholas stole a glance at Mia, his expression slightly awkward. “Do you still have feelings for him?”
Mia scoffed in disbelief. “Are you serious? How could I possibly still have feelings for him? I’ve evolved from the Mia of the past. Besides, there are countless men out there. Why would I settle for an ex- husband?”
Nicholas let out a small sigh of relief, his typically stoic demeanor masking any deeper emotions. He spoke calmly, “If you’re free tonight, let’s grab dinner together.”
“Sure, that works for me. But I’ll need to swing by the office first to take care of some pending tasks. I’ve been away on Xanier Island and in Bern city for a while, so there’s quite a bit of work piled up for me.” “Alright, you go ahead. I’ll pick you up once you’re finished.”
Mia went straight to the company to tackle her workload. It had been a while since she’d been in the office, and there were numerous matters demanding her attention.
However, as she wrapped up her tasks and prepared to leave, she received a call from Nicholas. “I’m sorry, Mia. There’s a sudden emergency with a patient, so I might have to cancel our dinner plans tonight.”
Accustomed to such situations, Mia replied, “No worries. We can always reschedule for another time.”
She was well aware of the demands of Nicholas’ profession as a doctor, which often required him to juggle his research and clinical responsibilities.
After ending the call, Mia leaned back in her chair and spun around a few times before turning to Peyton beside her. “How’s Timothy holding up? What time is his flight?”
Peyton made a quick call to check, then reported back, “Mr. Barrett hasn’t left yet.”
Timothy was still here?
Mia’s expression morphed into surprise upon hearing this update. “But wasn’t he supposed to have taken off by now?”
“Ms. Mia, we’ve already arranged for someone to deliver his plane ticket, but Mr. Barrett is refusing to leave,” Peyton explained.
A wave of apprehension swept over Mia. Even after being beaten up, why did Timothy decide to stay in Nord City?
Could there be something more serious going on with him?
After a moment of contemplation, Mia rose from her seat and instructed, “Send someone to track down Heath and Joe. Where could Claude have possibly confined them?”
It seemed that Timothy’s reluctance to depart was likely because he felt embarrassed about returning alone.
“Ms. Mia, there’s one more matter. Mr. Barrett wants to speak with you face-to-face.”
What could Timothy possibly want to discuss with her in person?
But since Mia had no other commitments for the evening, she decided to make another visit to the hospital.
Mia entered the hospital room and confronted Timothy directly, questioning, “What exactly do you want to discuss with me? I even offered to buy you a plane ticket to leave, yet you’re choosing to stay. “Are you intentionally looking for trouble? If Dominic finds out you’re here, you’ll end up with more than just a hand injury!”
Truthfully, Mia couldn’t comprehend Timothy’s intentions.
Timothy leaned against the headboard, appearing notably more spirited than the previous day.
He spoke calmly, “I came here specifically to accompany Ginger during her treatment. I won’t depart Nord City until she’s fully recovered.” Despite the bandages on his head and casts on his arms, his demeanor suggested a defiance that almost begged for confrontation. “Given your current inability to cover your own medical expenses, it’s rather audacious of you to remain in Nord City. Wouldn’t it be wiser to go home temporarily and return with more support?”
Timothy’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “If I were to depart now, returning next time wouldn’t be as simple.”
“I’m sure you’re intelligent enough to understand that staying alone in Nord City would only pose more danger.”
“For the sake of my daughter, I’m willing to take that risk.”
Mia felt instantly incensed. Why was Timothy being so stubborn?
She nodded curtly and replied, “Fine, have it your way. Since this is your decision, I have nothing more to say.”
As Mia turned to leave, Timothy’s voice stopped her in her tracks. “Are you just going to abandon me like this?”
What in the world?
Mia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Timothy’s words sounded completely absurd. It didn’t make sense.
With an incredulous expression, Mia turned back to face Timothy. “What do you mean by “abandon you’? I clearly offered to buy you a plane ticket and personally send you away, but you chose not to leave. How is that my fault?”
“Since this is your territory, you bear the responsibility of ensuring my safety.”
Mia was utterly taken aback, struggling to find a response.
She rested her hand on her forehead, gazing at Timothy. “Since when did you become so audacious? Why should I be accountable for your protection?”
“Because I’m your ex-husband and Ginger’s father. If anything happens to me in Nord City, I’ll expose your neglect to the media!”
“Are you serious? Do you actually believe the media will take your claims seriously? This is Nord City, not Bern City,” Mia retorted incredulously.
However, Timothy remained composed as he gazed at her, leaving Mia feeling somewhat uncertain.
Suddenly, Timothy spoke up, “I’ve heard about your entertainment company’s upcoming movie release, with a positive theme no less.
“If any negative publicity were to surface about you as the CEO, it could potentially impact the box office, don’t you think?”
Mia’s demeanor shifted abruptly, her expression becoming more serious. “I didn’t expect you to be so well-informed despite your limited connections.”
Although she maintained a composed exterior, Mia couldn’t shake the feeling of unease brewing within her.
Considering Timothy’s current struggle to cover his medical expenses, Mia wondered how he managed to gather such information.
Timothy raised an eyebrow slightly. “Thanks to your reputation here in Nord City, I can keep up with your updates simply by skimming through the entertainment section on the cafeteria TV.”
In that instant, Mia finally grasped how Timothy had come by this information about her.
With a smirk, she replied, “Even if you’re aware, what difference does it make? From now on, I’ll ensure you remain confined to this hospital room. You won’t have the freedom to go anywhere. So, what’s your next move?”
As Mia’s words trailed off, Timothy remained unfazed, gazing calmly at her as he spoke, “Before you arrived, I had already contacted a reporter from the media.
“I disclosed only the first part of what you said, withholding the rest for now. If you insist on keeping me here, I believe he’ll likely publish the full story tomorrow.”
Mia was furious. “Timothy, how could you stoop so low?”
“I have just one request,” Timothy replied calmly. “I want to stay here and accompany Ginger during her treatment.”
Mia paced around in frustration before eventually pulling up a chair and sitting down, fixing her gaze on Timothy in the hospital bed.
Her anger was so intense that she wished she could just punch him then and there.
“Aren’t you aware of my brothers’ sentiments toward you now? If they find out you’re still in Nord City, or even close to me, your situation could become dire.”
“This decision is mine to make. I am prepared to face the consequences on my own.”
Mia massaged her temples in frustration. She couldn’t believe Timothy was attempting to outsmart her at this critical moment.
This movie represented the culmination of her relentless dedication and effort.
It held immense significance for her, marking her debut in the entertainment industry. There was no room for error.
Mia was surprised that Timothy could discern her current vulnerability simply by reading a news article. It served as a stark reminder for her not to underestimate him.
Yet, the notion of compromising in such a manner left her feeling uneasy.
After pondering for a while, Mia gazed at him and stated, “You can stay, but given your current situation, there’s only one role available for you. You’ll serve as my assistant, and bodyguard, handling various miscellaneous tasks around me.”
“Alright,” Timothy agreed without hesitation.
Mia was somewhat taken aback. She had assumed that someone as accomplished as Timothy, who had been the pride of his family since childhood, would never agree to such a role.
Initially, she had intended to make things challenging for him.
However, she hadn’t anticipated his quick and willing agreement.
Mia nodded. “Alright, now that you’re on board, please proceed to sign this employment contract.”
Peyton swiftly handed over a document, and Timothy signed it without glancing at its contents.
A sly grin curved Mia’s lips. “Starting today, you are at my beck and call. You must follow any directive I issue. If I command you to go east, you cannot venture west. If I instruct you to learn to meow like a cat, you cannot bark like a dog!”
Mia wore a smug expression, confident that Timothy would be furious after hearing those words.
“If he can’t handle it,” she thought, “he should just go back to Bern City!”
But surprisingly, Timothy didn’t seem to be angered by Mia’s statement. Instead, he held the contract delicately, wearing a mischievous smile. “I could even keep you company while you sleep,” he teased.
“You wish!” Mia shot back.
Snatching the contract, she swiftly left the hospital without further ado. Glancing at the document, her eyes lingered on Timothy’s signature—a bold, elegant stroke that exuded a sense of grandeur.
Peyton hesitantly spoke up, “Ms. Mia, should we really be doing this? If Mr. Dominic catches wind of it…”
Mia interrupted firmly, “Then be cautious and ensure Dominic remains unaware of this arrangement. Besides, Sage’s treatment won’t be prolonged, and Timothy will naturally depart afterward.”
Rubbing her chin thoughtfully, Mia added, “Once Timothy is discharged and begins his duties, find ways to challenge him. Don’t go easy on him because of his background. Right now, he’s just another employee.” Peyton nodded respectfully. “I understand.”