Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“When Sage was born, doctors had given him only a few months to live. Thanks to you and your team’s efforts, Sage has reached the age of four. I’m grateful he’s alive.”
Nicholas’ expression betrayed a hint of guilt. “I had hoped to cure Sage.”
“Nick, you’ve already done a great deal. There’s no need to feel guilty. Even if this treatment doesn’t completely restore his health, Sage’s condition is undeniably better than before. That’s truly sufficient for me.” Despite Mia’s inner hopes for Sage’s complete recovery, she knew she had to accept the reality. As long as Sage was stable and improving, she found solace in that.
Nicholas maintained a determined gaze. “Rest assured, Mia. My team will closely monitor Sage’s follow-up treatment. I’m confident we’ll find a way to restore his health.”
“Thank you, Nick.”
Mia proceeded to spend some time chatting with Sage.
“Mommy, you don’t seem very happy,” Sage observed, pouting slightly. “No, I’m fine. Everything’s going well for me lately.”
“Mommy, you’re lying.”
As Mia gazed at Sage’s features, which bore a striking resemblance to Timothy’s, a wave of complex emotions washed over her.
After spending some time with Sage, Mia exited the hospital, only to be surrounded by paparazzi eagerly waiting outside.
“Ms. Lane, is it true that you’re dating your bodyguard?” one of them asked.
“Ms. Lane, we’ve heard rumors about your bodyguard’s family being financially disadvantaged. How does your family feel about your relationship?” another chimed in.
Mia was caught off guard by the sudden and unfounded rumors. How could she and her bodyguard be romantically involved?
It made no sense.
Peyton swiftly took charge, directing the bodyguards to restrain the reporters and ensuring Mia’s safe return to the car.
Perplexed, Mia inquired, “What’s going on?”
“Ms. Mia, you and Mr. Barrett were photographed by reporters at the banquet yesterday. As a result, rumors are spreading that you and your bodyguard are having an affair.”
Mia hurriedly checked her phone and indeed found the photo of Timothy holding her. She had tripped during that moment, and Timothy’s swift assistance had prevented what could have been a humiliating situation.
Fortunately, Timothy was wearing large sunglasses, making it challenging for strangers to identify him.
Mia quickly instructed Peyton, “Contact the PR team and have them delete those photos immediately. I don’t want my brothers to see them.” As soon as she finished speaking, Liam’s call came in.
In the realm of entertainment news, Liam, being an award-winning actor, was undoubtedly the most well-connected.
Spotting Liam’s call, Mia felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. It seemed like trouble was looming on the horizon.
Taking a deep breath, Mia made the decision not to answer Liam’s call. She couldn’t think of a good explanation at that moment.
Shortly after Liam’s call was disconnected, he sent Mia a WhatsApp message, saying, “Mia, if you don’t pick up, I’ll call Dominic.”
Seeing this message, Mia immediately dialed Liam’s number back. She couldn’t afford for him to involve Dominic, as that would only complicate matters.
Before long, Mia heard Liam’s voice through the phone. “Mia, you finally picked up. Tell me, who’s the bodyguard the media captured?” Mia knew that Liam had called to inquire about this matter.
She cleared her throat and responded, “Who else could it possibly be? He’s the new bodyguard. I’m clueless as to why the media is spreading these rumors.”
“He looks quite similar to Timothy, doesn’t he?”
“Really? I didn’t notice.”
At that moment, Mia felt extremely anxious. With Liam now aware, it wouldn’t be long before her other brothers found out as well.
Liam couldn’t help but sigh. “Mia, even if he’s just a new bodyguard, your interaction with him seems quite intimate. He even hugged you in front of the reporters! Are you sure there’s nothing more between you two?”
“Liam, you have to trust me. During the signing event, I had a slip-up, and the bodyguard acted quickly to save me. Otherwise, I might have ended up in the hospital by now.”
Mia swiftly shifted Liam’s focus to her fall, and as expected, Liam became immediately concerned about her well-being.
“Mia, I understand now. That’s a relief. I had assumed you kept Timothy around as a bodyguard.”
Mia nervously chuckled and replied, “Come on, Liam, that’s impossible! You’re overthinking things!”
“Alright, I was just concerned about you. That’s why I called to inquire about the rumors of you and the bodyguard. But don’t worry, I’ll promptly arrange for the tabloids to be retracted. I don’t want Dominic and the others to get the wrong idea,” Liam assured her.
Mia felt a pang of guilt. “Thank you for believing in me, Liam.”
“You’re my sister, and I trust you more than anyone else. I believe everything you say,” Liam replied.
After ending the call, Mia rubbed her temples with a guilty conscience, feeling like she had let Liam down.
It seemed like another day of assuming the role of the defiant younger sister.
Peyton cautiously inquired, “Did Mr. Liam figure out Mr. Barrett’s identity?”
“He had his suspicions initially, but I convinced him it was merely a resemblance, so Liam didn’t delve further.”
Peyton continued, “Ms. Mia, shall we return to the hospital now, or is there another place you would prefer to go?”
After all, their earlier visit to the hospital had been interrupted.
“Let’s head back to Meadowview Estate.”
At this point, whether or not she regained her memories was not Mia’s main concern.
What she truly desired was to witness the aftermath of Timothy’s altercation. It was too intriguing to pass up!
Upon reaching Meadowview Estate, several cars swiftly pulled up nearby.
A sudden unease washed over Mia. Could it be that Dominic had arrived?
Stepping out of the car and seeing the Bowen family approaching, Mia felt relieved. As long as it wasn’t Dominic and her brothers, she could handle it.
Mia raised an eyebrow, a subtle smirk dancing on her lips as she asked, “What brings you here?”
Visibly furious, Lewis retorted, “Mia, don’t act naive. Chuck and Harper had a consensual deal at the banquet, but now you’re bringing in the police and even consulting lawyers for her. What exactly are you trying to do?”
Upon seeing the Bowens, Mia had already deduced that they had come for this specific issue.
However, she hadn’t anticipated Lewis siding with Chuck as well. It seemed that birds of a feather did indeed flock together.
Mia responded bluntly, “Whether it’s a deal or not, that’s for the police to determine. Coming to me won’t change anything.”
“Mia, stop skirting around the issue. If you hadn’t dispatched your bodyguards and lawyers, do you think Harper would have dared to involve the police and threaten Chuck with a lawsuit?
“You’d better withdraw your personnel now, or don’t blame me for being impolite!”
Mia chuckled mockingly. “Well then, I’m curious to see how you plan to be impolite’ with me.”
Lately, the Bowens had been pushing boundaries, even speaking disrespectfully to Mia!
It seemed they had completely lost their minds!
Lewis softened his tone as he stepped forward, fixing his gaze on Mia. “It’s been quite some time. Are you still upset? Is that why you’re intentionally causing these issues to catch my attention?”
Mia’s expression twisted in a mix of shock and disbelief upon hearing Lewis’ accusations. “Who gave you the audacity to say such things?” How could she possibly be angry with Lewis and resort to such lengths just to get his attention? He wasn’t foolish, after all!
“Mia, there’s no need for pretense. Since our families proposed our marriage alliance, I’ve had no involvement with that woman from the bar. She was the one pursuing me, but nothing happened between us.” Mia wore a look of innocence as she shrugged and responded, “So what?”
“So, let me get this straight. You vanished from Nord City out of nowhere, spent ages gallivanting around Xanier Island and Bern City, and then returned with a penniless bodyguard in tow, all just to spread these rumors and get a rise out of me?
“Is that your idea of grabbing my attention, trying to provoke me? Honestly, I’ve seen through that tactic far too many times.”
Mia found herself momentarily caught off guard, unsure of how to respond.
It was clear to her that the Bowen family held rather peculiar mentalities.
Mia couldn’t help but ponder if the families of the women who had married into the Bowen family lacked sound judgment. How else could they willingly become involved with such an eccentric household? Prior to Mia’s journey to Xanier Island, the Bowens had indeed presented an outlandish marital arrangement.
Despite this, Mia’s brothers brushed off the Bowen family’s proposal as mere frivolity.
However, to the Bowens, Mia’s subsequent travels to Xanier Island and Bern City held a different significance altogether.
Initially, Mia had little interest in the Bowen family’s marriage proposal or Lewis’ escapades in the bar. She never anticipated the extent of the Bowens’ self-absorption, orchestrating such drama themselves.
After giving Lewis a once-over, Mia clicked her tongue twice before remarking, “Today, I’ve truly encountered the breadth of human diversity.”
Furrowing his brow, Lewis inquired, “Mia, what exactly do you mean by that?”
“I mean it quite literally. Take a good look at yourself—your appearance is so astonishingly unattractive that one might question if you barely pass for human.
“I can’t decide if the world is trying to test me or if I’m simply too blind to see any appeal in you.
“I’m genuinely curious—where did you get such audacity? Did you not bother to glance in the mirror before leaving home?
“Just imagine how many people you must have inadvertently terrified with that grotesque face of yours.”
Mia’s words pierced Lewis like a dagger, leaving him stripped of his dignity.