Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
His expression softened when he heard that. He even gave Jasmine a look of approval, and he completely forgot about Luna who was still having her wounds treated.
Mia returned her attention to Philip, who was still bowing. “I will never let you work at Aide Castle again. You’ve broken the principles, after all. There’s no way I can forgive that.”
Soon, Peyton led a few security guards over to take Philip away.
Mia then turned to the guests and said, “Sorry for meeting everyone in this kind of situation. I’ve founded and handled Aide Castle single-handedly all these years net
Every design here was done by me alone. I poured a lot of effort into them. I hope you’ll support us in the future.”
Chapter 1096
“Why have you been keeping your identity a secret, Ms. Lane? Is there a reason?” someone asked.
Hearing that, Timothy stared at Mia, who was holding a microphone.
She was standing on the stage in a simple evening dress. The stage light shone on her, and she looked like she was the bright moon hanging in the night sky.
“What do you think, Tim? Are you losing confidence now that Mia has made exceptional achievements?”
Hearing Caleb’s voice, Timothy looked over his shoulder. “What brought you here?”
“I heard that the banquet was super entertaining, so I rushed over. I didn’t want to miss the show. I heard some women got into a fight too. But I guess it’s over. What a shame. If I had known that, I would’ve come along with you.”
Timothy was rendered speechless.
Caleb continued, “But I totally didn’t expect Mia to be the real owner of Aide Castle. In this case, it’s not entirely impossible for you to work with Aide Castle.”
“Why do you say so? I think we’ll get the deal for sure.”
Caleb exclaimed, “On what grounds, Tim?”
Just who had boosted Timothy’s confidence?
Mia had six brothers backing her up!
Timothy rolled up his sleeves calmly. “Connection is important when it comes to joint ventures. Think about the relationship I have with Mia. Do you think there would be a problem?” Caleb retorted cruelly, “Do I have to remind you that you haven’t even won her heart back yet? Stop dreaming about working with her in business. I’m telling you, you don’t stand a chance!” “Shut up. Enough.” Timothy didn’t want to continue the conversation with Caleb any longer.
He lifted his head, refocusing his gaze on Mia on the stage.
The sheer sight of her softened his gaze.
Mia, who was incredibly meek back then, had transformed into a woman so stunning that he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
From the stage, Mia could feel his intrusive gaze.
She noticed him from the corner of her eyes. His gaze was so deep that she couldn’t get used to it.
Why was he looking at her?
She took a deep breath. “I kept my identity a secret because I wanted to prove that I can run a business successfully without the help of my family.”
As soon as she finished, Timothy was the first to clap his hands, leading the guests to join in a thunderous applause for her.
Everyone was aware of their relationship.
Timothy was Mia’s ex-husband while she was the only daughter of the Lane family.
She could have enjoyed her life free from woes and stress, but she chose to show everyone how talented and hard-working she was instead.
The guests present at the banquet began to think about their feckless children and sighed. They wished they could turn back time and raise them better.
Just how did the Lane family get lucky with such a wonderful daughter?
The guests began to compare their children with Mia, there was no end to the jealousy they felt toward the Lane family.
Jasmine clapped her hands with passion, as she was able to come this far thanks to Mia. Mia helped her a lot from behind the scenes.
Jasmine purposely cast a gaze at Luna, who was sitting next to her. Mia had clearly driven Luna out of the place, but she chose to stay so brazenly. No one could imagine how shameless she could be.
Jasmine said intentionally, “Luna, you should learn more from Mia. Look. She’s of your age, but she has already established her own company, a successful company at that.”
Chapter 1097
Luna watched Mia standing on the stage as jealousy filled her to the brim.
This entire time, Luna had never thought that she performed worse than Mia.
But the sight of Mia getting the spotlight right now angered her.
Luna smirked. “You have got to be kidding me, Jasmine. Mia’s business gained success because of her family’s investment and connection, no? If she was still an orphan, would her business have been successful?”
Jasmine retorted, “At least she’s talented. She designed all of these herself.”
“There are a bunch of talents out there, but running a successful business is different. Without enough investment and her family’s help, would she have been able to come this far?”
Luna lowered her voice as she continued, “I can see that you’re taking her side, but she’s just using you to get rid of me. What do you take her for? Someone kind who doesn’t have ulterior motives?” Jasmine noticed the jealousy written over Luna’s face. “Is it that difficult for you to admit that someone else is extraordinary? Dad taught me to be humble and learn from others since young. Hard work is what fills the gap, not jealousy,” Jasmine said.
Raymond turned his head and said, “I think Jazzy is right. Look at Ms. Mia. She keeps a low profile. She did such a good job of keeping everyone else in the dark before gaining success with her business. Both of you should learn this from her.”
Luna rolled her eyes when he told them to set Mia as their exemplary model.
There was no way Luna was going to look up to Mia. She believed that she was just as good as Mia!
If she was the daughter of the Lane family, she believed that she would’ve done way better than Mia.
Raymond advised Jasmine, “You should be on good terms with Ms. Mia.”
He noticed Timothy’s attitude toward Luna earlier. It was obvious that she didn’t have proper standing in the Barrett family.
Now, he slightly regretted bringing her back to his family. He shouldn’t have bought her lies.
Luna whispered, “Dad, didn’t you tell us to keep our distance from the Lane family? We’re going to work with the Barrett family, after all.”
“Zip it! When did I say that? The Lanes and the Barretts have formed a marriage alliance. Mia and Timothy even have a child together! They’re a family.”
She huffed. “They divorced five years ago, Dad. They will never get back together again.”
Jasmine smiled and remarked, “How funny. How are you so sure that they won’t remarry? Do you think Timothy will lower his standards and fall for you?” “Why not? I’m the daughter of the mayor. What do I lack?” Luna snapped back.
Jasmine arched her brow. “Don’t forget, Timothy is Asher’s biological uncle. It seems you’ve forgotten. what kind of relationship your child has with him. I’m sure he’s smart enough not to be with you.
Raymond nodded. “Luna, you must be on good terms with the Barrett family. You better be nice when talking to Ms. Mia. Do you hear me?”
Luna almost lost it. The voice in her head kept telling her that she shouldn’t have attended today’s banquet.
She initially thought that this banquet would mark the beginning of her prime, but it became her nightmare instead.
Meanwhile, Mia had just finished her speech.
She then spoke with the collaborators of Aide Castle after walking down the stage.
Timothy’s expression turned grim when he noticed a man following Mia around earnestly.
He held his wine glass tightly, and his eyes never left her. There were a few men trying to get into her good books.
Those men were like annoying flies to him.
Caleb rubbed his chin as he commented, “Are you not going to do anything, Tim? If you stay still and watch for any second longer, someone might steal your wife away.”
Sharon bulldozed her way over. “Tim, look at Mia. She’s all puffed up! Look at the men swarming around her. How disgraceful! Can’t you see her true colors?”
Chapter 1098
Timothy responded coldly, “If there are this many capable men around her, that means she’s capable.”
After saying that, he put his wine glass down before walking in Mia’s direction.
Sharon stomped her foot, feeling frustrated.
Caleb flashed a meaningful smile. “Mrs. Barrett, is it this hard to admit someone else’s capability? You should be proud to have had such a successful daughter-in-law. You shouldn’t think that you can control her because these are her achievements. We should respect each other, not take each other down.”
He just couldn’t get why Sharon disliked Mia.
Well, Sharon might have had a reason to look down on Mia previously because of her identity as an orphan.
But Mia was now the daughter of the Lane family. She is now at the top of the social ladder.
However, Sharon’s attitude toward Mia hadn’t changed.
Sharon gritted her teeth and remarked, “You know nothing. You haven’t even gotten married yet.”
“Have you ever thought of what would happen if they really remarry each other? What good would you gain from offending her now?” He tried to reason with her.
“Don’t give me a lecture. I simply think that she’s not fit for my son.” She spun around and left angrily.