Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
She replied calmly, “I understand. That’s why I deliberately asked those questions earlier. I wanted to gather evidence against her.”
It was surprising how easily Louisa fell into their trap. She answered every question without hesitation.
If the conversation were to be leaked, not only would Raymond face trouble, but Yellow Island’s reputation would also take a significant hit.
It was like being handed a gift while asleep.
With this leverage in Mia’s hands, she needed to think about how to use it.
After Mia’s secretary copied the video, she turned to Timothy. “Are you okay?”
He rolled up his sleeve and replied calmly, “Just a minor scratch.”
At that moment, a nosy staff member chimed in, “Ms. Lane, who is this handsome man?”
Mia thought for a moment before answering, “Just someone I know, but not too well.”
Upon hearing that, Timothy’s expression darkened visibly. He stepped forward and grabbed ker wrist “Are you sure that’s allo are?”
She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened as if he needed her answer to that question right then and there.
She laughed nervously. “I believe in treating exes like they’re dead. So do you think we have a close relationship? I don’t see any issue with my description.”
S
“Oh my goodness! Ms. Lane, your ex-husband is quite handsome. He looks so dashing, are you worried about being found out?”
Mia’s expression stiffened momentarily. She wondered if they were missing the point. Although Timothy was attractive, she didn’t hide their past relationship just because of his looks.
He pulled her toward him and whispered, “Come with me.”
Suddenly, a child’s voice filled with anger interrupted him.
Chapter 975
Mia’s mind was in turmoil due to Louisa’s overwhelming audacity earlier. Amidst the chaos, Mia had forgotten that Sage was right by her side and he had witnessed everything.
She regretted bringing Sage along to see the commotion at the entrance. If he hadn’t been there, Sage and Timothy wouldn’t have run into each other. At that moment, she didn’t know what to do next.
Sage looked up at the towering figure before him. It was his first time seeing Timothy in person. Previously, he had only seen Timothy in videos or photos.
Sage maintained a stoic expression as he fixed his gaze on Timothy. His attitude and impression toward Timothy were bad, to say the least.
Timothy couldn’t help but notice Sage’s presence. The boy’s arrogant demeanor felt strangely familiar to him.
As their eyes met, Sage found Timothy intolerable.
Timothy naturally sensed the hostility from Sage. He frowned and remarked, “This is an affair concerning the grown-ups, brat. Best you stay out of it.”
He didn’t give it much thought since Sage was just a kid. Timothy was certain that a child wouldn’t be his love rival.
Sage grew indignant upon hearing that. In a childish tone, he retorted, “Why should I stay out of it? But I—“
Before he could finish, Mia stepped forward and covered his mouth. She didn’t want him to blurt out anything.
She turned to Timothy and said, “He’s always been stubborn since he was little. Mr. Barrett, let’s not get into a fight with a child.”
Then, she gestured to Sage with her arms, “Why don’t you go inside with the nurse? I’ll join you after I’ve sorted things out. We’ll play together later, okay?”
Sage looked at her and stubbornly shook his head.
She felt a headache coming on. Sage was as stubborn as Timothy. Now, she didn’t know how to handle the situation.
Just then, Nicholas rushed in with the others. He made a beeline for Mia and asked, “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
Mia let out a sigh of relief upon seeing him. “I’m okay, but there was an incident at the research institute earlier.
“A woman from Yellow Island stormed in with her bodyguards and caused trouble. They had injured all the security personnel, so I had the woman and her bodyguards@aken to the police station.”
Nicholas replied, “I heard about it on my way here. I’ll handle things at the police station.
“But I’m more concerned about your safety. I heard there was a confrontation, and you were pushed to the ground. Are you alright?”
He looked at her apologetically. “I never imagined that a lunatic would do something like this. If I had known, I would have made sure she regretted coming to Nord City last night.”
He replied nonchalantly, “I never agreed to any blind date. It was just a coincidence last night.
Mia cleared her throat and remembered something. So, she quickly placed Sage’s hand in
Nicholas’s and said, “I need to handle something now. Could you take him inside?”
Chapter 976
Nicholas reached for Sage’s hand and glanced at Timothy by his side. He couldn’t ignore Timothy’s darkened expression.
After all, encountering a love rival was never a pleasant experience.
Sage grasped Nicholas’s hand and looked at Timothy. “You’re not welcome here, and I don’t like you either. Please leave immediately.”
Mia didn’t know how to react to Sage’s blunt dismissal. So, she stole a nervous glance at Timothy and hoped he wouldn’t catch on to anything. Given the striking resemblance between Sage and Timothy, she had been working hard to keep Timothy from discovering her son’s existence. Timothy frowned and was perplexed by the boy’s sudden appearance. Sage seemed innocent, but Timothy could sense the strong dislike the boy harbored toward him.
Yet, there was something about Sage that felt oddly familiar to Timothy. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had encountered the boy somewhere before.
Timothy paused for a thought. Then, he glanced disdainfully at Nicholas before turning to Mia. He said, “Come out with me for a moment.”
She glanced at Nicholas and Sage. Then, she signaled Sage with her eyes. “I’ll step out for a while.”
Sage frowned, and he felt uneasy about Timothy taking Mia away. But before he could speak up, Nicholas lightly pinched his hand to remind him not to say anything.
Sage reluctantly closed his mouth and watched helplessly as Timothy and Mia left the research institute.
He looked at Nicholas and asked, “Why did you let Mommy go out to talk to that bad guy alone? I don’t want them to be together.”
Nicholas ruffled the boy’s hair and said, “Don’t you want to get to know your biological father?”
“I don’t want to acknowledge that bad guy. I’ve got seven uncles already. With you around, I’ve got plenty of male role models. Whether I have a biological father or not doesn’t matter to me.”
Nicholas crouched in front of Sage and said earnestly, “But what if I wanted to be with your mommy?”
“Uncle Nicholas, are you finally admitting you like Mommy? It’s been four years. I honestly thought you’d wait forever.”
Nicholas smiled wryly. He had initially planned to wait for Mia to regain her memory and heal the wounds in her heart before confessing his feelings. But net hadn’t anticipated Timothy’s he appearance by Mia’s side.
S
Sage, sounding wise beyond his years, quipped, “So, it takes the appearance of a love rival for you to make a move, huh?”
Nicholas nodded. “I guess you could say that.”
Timothy’s presence stirred an unsettling feeling in Nicholas’s heart, especially now that Mia had regained her memory. She had. recalled everything that had happened four years ago at the Barrett family.
It meant she had remembered her feelings for Timothy. If Nicholas didn’t do something now, he might truly lose her again. He had l.n protected her for four years and wasn’t willing to let her slip away now.
Outside the gates of the research institute, Mia stared at Timothy and asked, “What do you want to talk to me about? And why are you here outside the institute? Are you following me?”
Chapter 977
When Mia heard Timothy asking about Sage’s identity, her heart skipped a beat. She wondered if he still harbored suspicions about her.
So, she lowered her gaze and asked, “Who do you think that boy could be?”
“Mia, I’m asking you. Don’t deflect the question.”
Confronted with his probing stare, she remained calm and explained, “That boy is receiving treatment at the research institute.”
“Receiving treatment?”
Mia replied, “Yes, he’s receiving treatment there. Nick founded the research institute. He’s conducted extensive research there, including treatments for various conditions.
“Many parents bring their children there for treatment. The facility is staffed with doctors and nurses who monitor the children’s health closely.” “But I can’t shake the feeling that the boy’s connection to Nicholas goes beyond doctor and patient,” Timothy remarked.
Upon hearing that, Mia gritted her teeth. She realized Timothy’s keen eye for detail was uncanny. He could discern discrepancies in an instant. She countered, “That’s because Nicholas spends a lot of time with these children. So, his relationships with everyone are pretty good.” “Mia, you’re not being truthful.”
Mia retorted, “How could you accuse me of lying? I’m telling the truth. If you doubt me, feel free to investigate. There are more than a few children at the institute undergoing similar treatment as that boy.”
Mia spoke with confidence. She knew she wasn’t deceiving him. Such circumstances were indeed present at the research institute.
Nicholas had initially founded the research institute for Rachel, who had a rare disease.
Back then, the doctors had given up hope for her survival. But Nicholas refused to accept her fate and established the institute.
Various treatments were attempted, and eventually, his sister survived. However, her health remained fragile. So, she was confined in the institute since she relied on a monitoring device. Yet, Nicholas achieved a miracle against all odds.
When Sage was born, Mia sent him to the research institute. She hoped Nicholas could perform the same miracle on Sage. Surprisingly, her son’s health had improved significantly.