Ch. 831..840

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 831-fRaising an eyebrow, Mia corrected, "To be more precise, I'm trying to save your life."

With that, Mia turned and exited the hospital room without acknowledging Timothy's presence.

She had done everything within her power.

Upon entering the car, Mia immediately instructed Peyton, "Arrange a flight for Timothy to return to Bern City. He must leave by tomorrow." Mia's top priority now was to be by Sage's side and care for him until he recovered. She had no time to concern herself with Timothy's affairs. Leaving the hospital, Mia headed straight to the private hospital to check on Sage, who remained unconscious.

Approaching Mia, Nicholas conveyed, "Sage briefly woke up this morning but then drifted back to sleep. It appears his recovery is progressing well. He should be fully awake by tomorrow. Once he's ready, we can move him from the intensive care unit to a standard ward."

Mia breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "That's wonderful news. Finally, the day I've been eagerly awaiting has arrived.” "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.

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 832-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?"

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 833-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."

The next day, Mia and her family rushed to the hospital upon hearing that Sage had woken up.

Alone in his hospital bed, Sage lay with a slightly pale complexion. He glanced at the adults gathered around his bed, his face showing a hint of tension.

"Don't hover around me like I'm already dead," he remarked.

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 834-Eva immediately cut in, "Hey, hey! What nonsense are you spouting? How could you even say that?"

Dominic gazed at Sage, his tone gentle. "Rest well. Once you're feeling better, we'll have some fun together. Whatever you want, just let me know, and I'll try my best to make it happen. Even if it's something as distant as the stars in the sky, I'll find a way to make your wish come true."

"Uncle Dominic, don't lie to me. The stars are distant suns, and you can't pluck them from the sky," Sage retorted with a hint of skepticism. Standing nearby, Connor couldn't help but chuckle. "Dominic, you know Sagey isn't your typical kid; he can't be easily fooled.” Despite Sage sharing a resemblance with Timothy, his intelligence had always been exceptional, surpassing that of his peers since childhood. Nathan grinned with pride. "Sage will inherit my hacking skills. He's going to surpass me in no time."

Upon hearing this, Connor's brow furrowed into a frown. "But Nathan, remember you promised Sage would join me as a doctor.” Claude quickly interjected, "Wasn't it decided he would become a pianist? Sage has a natural talent for playing the piano, and I've had my eye on him for some time. You two shouldn't try to take him away from me."

Jason adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said, "Stop arguing, everyone. Sage has already made an agreement with me. He's going to be a lawyer in the future.” Taking off his mask, Liam remarked, "Sagey is such a handsome boy. He should totally join me in the entertainment industry. We can't let his good looks go to waste!"

Dominic shot Liam a disapproving look. "Considering his appearance, do you really think he should join the entertainment industry? Have you lost your mind?"

Liam suddenly realized his mistake. Considering Sage's resemblance to Timothy, it would be risky for Sage to pursue a career in entertainment. It might lead to the Barretts discovering Sage's true identity.

Realizing this, Liam let out a sigh. It seemed Sage wasn't meant to follow in his footsteps.

Turning to Ginger beside him, Liam suggested, "How about this: let Ginger join me in the entertainment world and become the next leading actress.” Dominic immediately disagreed, "No, the entertainment industry is too complex. I don't want Ginger to face the challenges that come with it." Eva nodded in agreement. "Exactly, that's what I think too. In the future, Ginger will stay with me and enjoy life as a carefree young lady. Work can be exhausting, right, Ginger?"

Ginger nodded enthusiastically. "Aunt Eva is right. I don't want to work; I just want to sleep in every day."

Mia interjected helplessly, "But how will you earn money if you don't work?"

Ginger responded confidently, "By being adorable. Today, I'll be adorable for Uncle Dominic, tomorrow for Uncle Nathan, the day after for Uncle Connor, and then for Uncle Claude, Uncle Jason, and Uncle Liam. That should be enough.” Mia couldn't help but sigh as she observed how spoiled Ginger had become with everyone in the family pampering her.

As they carried on their lively conversation in the hospital room, Sage lay on the bed, a frown forming on his face. He couldn't help but interject, "If you're going to chat, please do it outside. Don't disturb my rest.” Mia approached Sage and gently touched his forehead, saying, "Alright, we'll leave you to rest peacefully. We'll visit you again tomorrow.” Understanding Sage's preference for silence and solitude, no one protested.

They soon exited the hospital room, leaving Ginger alone with Sage. Dominic turned to Mia and remarked, "Once Sage has fully recovered, I'll arrange for a psychologist to assist him. We don't want him to develop antisocial tendencies."

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 835-“I understand, Dominic. Once Sage is discharged from the hospital, I'll personally be there to support him, guide his development, and ensure he stays on the right path.” Sage was undeniably intelligent, boasting a higher IQ than children his age.

However, a previous assessment had revealed antisocial traits in Sage, leading him to be reclusive and avoid social interactions.

Mia had been concerned about this for a while.

Due to his health issues, Sage had been staying in Nicholas’ laboratory, seldom venturing outside. Consequently, Mia had refrained from intervening as well.

But with Sage's imminent reintegration into society after his recovery, it was crucial to take proactive measures.

Eva held Mia's hand and reassured her, "Don't worry, we'll surround Sage with love and positive influences. He won't turn into a criminal in the future. After all, our family has everything we need.” Mia smiled and affirmed, “I won't allow Sage to become that kind of person either."

Nicholas had been closely monitoring Sage's personality development over the years. Currently, there were no signs of any abnormal behavior from Sage, except for his tendency to be reclusive.

Leaving the private hospital, Mia's mood significantly improved. Sage's treatment had advanced smoothly, and it wouldn't be long before he made a full recovery.

Approaching her, Peyton asked, "Ms. Mia, there's a promotional event for the movie tonight. Would you like to attend?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Mia replied.

Peyton added cautiously, “By the way, Mr. Barrett insisted on being discharged from the hospital today."

"Alright, if he wants to leave the hospital, we'll accommodate that. It just so happens there's a banquet tonight, so I'll take him with me."

With that settled, Mia headed straight to the mall for some shopping. As Mia exited the dressing room after trying on a few outfits, she noticed Timothy standing nearby. He was dressed in a sleek black suit and sunglasses, his tall and straight posture exuding a sense of authority.

He certainly looked like he meant business!

With a smirk, Mia approached him. "Is your arm feeling better now?" Timothy maintained a stoic expression as he replied, “It's nothing serious. Your brother sustained more injuries than I did.” His stubborn attitude was quite typical of him.

"Well, since you're here, you can help me carry these things," Mia said, handing him the bags filled with clothes she had purchased.

Given Timothy's insistence on being discharged, Mia decided to put him to work.

Timothy briefly glanced at the bags, a frown crossing his face, but he eventually accepted and carried them without protest.

In an attempt to embarrass Timothy, Mia deliberately purchased more items, leaving him to carry all the boxes alone.

She couldn't conceal her satisfaction as she observed Timothy's awkward and hesitant demeanor.

However, as Mia walked ahead, she heard a woman's shrill voice behind her. "Hey, you, stupid bodyguard, can't you watch where you're going? Don't you see I'm here?"

Turning around, Mia spotted a woman with a designer handbag pointing and scolding Timothy.

Mia walked over and said, "Hey Isabella, I heard your recent plastic surgery didn't go too well. I thought you'd never dare to show your face in public again.” Isabella Bowen appeared slightly flustered upon seeing Mia. "Who told you my plastic surgery failed? I've never had any cosmetic procedures!"

Ignoring Isabella, Mia turned to Timothy. "Hey, you dropped all the items I bought. Aren't you going to pick them up?"

Isabella immediately interjected, "So, this clueless bodyguard belongs to you, huh? It appears both you and he are equally incompetent.”

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 836-“Yes, this newly hired bodyguard works for me," Mia confirmed.

"But he just bumped into me and scratched my brand-new bag. You should make him pay for a replacement,” Isabella demanded.

Mia lowered her gaze and indeed noticed a scratch on Isabella's bag. Turning to Timothy, she asked, "Did you do this?"

Timothy furrowed his brow. "She was distracted by her phone and didn't pay attention to where she was going. That's how she bumped into me."

Isabella immediately became indignant, pointing at Timothy and scolding, "You incompetent bodyguard, what nonsense are you spouting? You were the one carrying those things and bumped into me! How dare you accuse me of running into you?"

Timothy's demeanor turned cold in an instant. As a respected heir, he had never been berated by anyone in such a manner before. Observing the unfolding drama, Mia feigned uncertainty and remarked, “This situation appears quite complicated.” "Since he's your bodyguard, you should compensate me for the damage!"

Mia clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Sure, monetary compensation is possible, but Isabella, could it be that you've been deceived?

" This bag of yours doesn't appear to be authentic at first glance. Genuine leather wouldn't get scratched so easily with just a slight knock."

"What nonsense are you talking about? This bag is real! How can you claim it's fake?"

“Isabella, you might doubt me on other matters, but when it comes to luxury goods, do you really think I would make a mistake in judgment?" Isabella inspected her bag incredulously and then angrily dialed a number, saying, "You bastard! How dare you sell me fake goods? I'm going to hold you accountable for this."

Mia turned to Timothy and said, “Let's go, my incompetent bodyguard.” Timothy was taken aback by Mia's words.

After Isabella took a few steps, she turned back to address Mia once more, her expression defiant. "But don't get too cocky. My brother, Lewis, has recently struck a deal with the Barrett Group. We're set to surpass the Lane family soon.” Mia raised an eyebrow in surprise. "The Barrett Group? Which one?" “The renowned Barrett Group in Bern City! Haven't you heard of it? Lewis is gearing up to expand projects in Bern City, and mark my words, we'll soon be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Lane family. Trust me, you'll regret not being engaged to Lewis!" Isabella declared confidently.

Glancing at Timothy beside her, Mia wondered, "Why did Timothy want to collaborate with the Bowen family?"

Meanwhile, a frown creased Timothy's face as he pondered, "Why was Mia nearly engaged to the Bowen family?"

After Isabella finished her boastful remarks, she turned to Timothy and quipped, "Poor bodyguard, be more careful when you walk next time. Selling you won't even cover the cost of replacing my bag."

Mia was at a loss for words. She wondered how Isabella would react if she knew she was insulting the president of the Barrett Group.

Once Isabella left, Mia looked at Timothy with a smirk and asked, "So, is this collaboration still on?"

Timothy's expression darkened as he replied, "You can stop talking now."

Mia couldn't help but burst into laughter. She found it oddly gratifying to witness Timothy being scolded so directly.

With his black sunglasses on, Timothy paused briefly when he noticed her smile. "Did that woman just mention that you were almost engaged to her brother?"

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 837-"Are you referring to my supposed engagement with the Bowen family?" Mia asked, wiping away the tears of laughter with a tissue. “That was just wishful thinking on the Bowen family's part. I never agreed to be engaged to their son."

With a frown, Timothy cautioned, "As the only young lady of the Lane family, these men are naturally plotting to marry you. I suggest you not be naive and fall for their schemes."

Mia's lips formed a cold smile as she looked at him meaningfully. “I don't need you to remind me of that. After all, I've been deceived by a man before, and I won't fall into the same trap twice."

Timothy knew exactly whom Mia was referring to. He felt compelled to interject, saying, "But our situation wasn't the same."

"Of course, it was different. Our relationship was even more complicated,” Mia replied sharply. "You should be grateful that I haven't fully regained my memory. If I remembered everything, do you think I could still speak to you like this?"

Mia didn't want to waste any more words with Timothy. With the banquet approaching, she still needed to change outfits, have her makeup done, and style her hair.

Upon arriving at the studio she frequented, Mia was warmly welcomed by the manager. "Ms. Lane, are you here today for your styling session for the banquet? Do you have any specific ideas in mind?"

“I just want to enhance my appearance subtly, without appearing too flashy. Considering my film's positive and uplifting theme, I'd prefer not to dress too conspicuously.” "Understood, please follow me."

Timothy reluctantly set down all the items Mia had bought. Shortly after, someone arrived to select clothes and shoes from the purchases. Timothy had never waited for a woman during a styling session before, as he considered his time to be extremely valuable and didn't want to waste it on such matters.

Glancing at the nearby staff, he inquired, "How much time will this take?"

"Approximately two to three hours."

Timothy was somewhat puzzled by the lengthy duration. Why would it take so long for a woman to do her makeup and styling?

Turning to one of the nearby bodyguards, Timothy asked, "Hey, do you mind if I borrow your phone for a moment?"

The bodyguard appeared uneasy. "I'm sorry, but my phone is off-limits.” Timothy's frown deepened. It was clear that his refusal was deliberate. Peyton approached and informed Timothy, "Ms. Mia's orders are clear. We cannot lend you money or allow you to use a phone. If you can't comply with her rules, you should consider leaving Nord City."

Timothy understood the implications, but leaving Nord City at that moment wasn't an option for him.

After Peyton had departed, the bodyguard stowed his phone and inquired, "How much debt are you in?"

Timothy frowned in confusion. "Debt?"

At that moment, the head of the security team, Miguel Gonzales, came over and casually placed a hand on Timothy's shoulder. “Timmo, need some life advice from an old-timer?"

Timmo?

Upon hearing this nickname, Timothy kept his composure as he calmly looked at Miguel. It was rare for anyone to address him so informally. Interpreting Timothy's silence as agreement, Miguel continued, "Timmo, being favored by Ms. Mia is a stroke of luck. Perhaps you shouldn't play hard to get any longer.

"With your financial troubles and the looming threat of loan sharks, submitting to Ms. Mia's authority will be your best choice. Rest assured, she won't treat you poorly."

Timothy's expression darkened even further. What sort of false narrative had Mia constructed about him?

Did it depict him as facing substantial financial struggles? Or did Mia go so far as to portray him as resorting to unethical activities to settle those debts?

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 838-Timothy held back his anger as he stared at Miguel. "So, has she used this tactic to coerce other men into being with her before?"

Miguel hesitated briefly. That wasn't exactly the case; usually, it was men pursuing Mia.

Thinking Timothy might be concerned, Miguel continued earnestly, "Timmo, these are valuable life lessons. You must pay attention. Spending a year with Ms. Mia can earn you more money than a lifetime elsewhere. Honestly, you won't lose out.” Timothy brushed off Miguel's hand and spoke coldly, "Keep your advice to yourself."

Observing Timothy's defiance, Miguel's expression shifted. "Timmo, don't act out of line. You're a new employee here, and your future here is in my hands!"

Timothy was taken aback.

In the past, someone like Miguel wouldn't have even been worthy to stand before him.

Timothy stood up and silently moved aside, completely disregarding Miguel. If it weren't for the necessity to remain there, Timothy would have dealt with Miguel long ago.

Two hours later, Mia emerged from the dressing room in her attire. She glanced around the room and noticed several bodyguards on the sofa, but Timothy was nowhere to be found. Surprised, she asked, "Where's the new guy?” Miguel stepped forward. "Ms. Mia, are you referring to Timmo?" "Timmo?" Mia couldn't help but chuckle at the nickname. "Yes, Timmo, the newbie. Where's he at?"

"I sent Timmo to fetch coffee for us. He's still new, so he's got some toughening up to do," Miguel explained.

As Miguel finished speaking, Mia saw Timothy returning with several cups of coffee. Even behind his oversized sunglasses, Timothy's stern expression was unmistakable.

It was clear that Timothy was not pleased.

After distributing the coffee to everyone, Timothy approached Mia with another cup in hand. "Here, this one's for you."

Mia took a sip and then handed the cup back. "This isn't the flavor I prefer, and it's too sweet. Timmo, it seems like you still have much to learn in your role.” With that, Mia adjusted her gown and exited the styling studio. Outside, she couldn't help but stifle a laugh as she covered her mouth. She hadn't expected Miguel to refer to Timothy as “Timmo"!

It was likely the first time anyone had dared to address him in such a familiar way.

Timothy followed behind Mia, observing her in her stunning evening gown, particularly the slit that showcased her slim, fair, and beautiful waist.

He took a sip of his coffee, feeling increasingly frustrated. With a frown, he promptly disposed of it in the trash. It was indeed overly sweet.

As Mia settled into the car, Timothy followed suit.

Glancing at Mia beside him, Timothy couldn't help but comment, "Isn't your dress a bit too revealing?"

"Really? I thought this gown was quite conservative. It's not showing much, is it?"

Timothy couldn't shake the image of Mia's alluring waist, accentuated by the radiant glow of the lights; it was a sight that would have captivated any man's attention.

Mia regarded him earnestly, "Does it really look bad?"

Taking in Mia's beautifully dressed appearance, Timothy fibbed, "It's not very flattering."

"Then I'm relieved.” Timothy was taken aback by Mia's words, feeling even more frustrated. An hour later, the car pulled up outside a large hotel.

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 839-By this time, numerous guests had already arrived, and the parking lot was filled with luxury cars. Some media reporters were also lurking nearby.

As Mia's car stopped, reporters surrounded it eagerly, akin to bees converging on a hive.

They were well aware that this was the vehicle of the Lane family's young lady, having caught wind of the news beforehand.

Mia felt a headache coming on as she observed the scene. "I even switched cars today. How did these reporters still manage to recognize me?"

"Don't exit the car yet," Timothy swiftly interjected.

Mia hesitated, her eyes locked on Timothy as he opened the car door and stepped out.

The reporters’ gaze quickly shifted to the bodyguard emerging from the vehicle, exchanging curious glances among themselves.

However, Timothy's expression remained impassive as he moved to the other side and held the door open for Mia. With grace, she elegantly bent down to step out of the car.

As soon as she emerged, the reporters swarmed around her, thrusting their microphones in her face and asking, “Ms. Lane, is it true that you and Mr. Bowen have set a date for your engagement?"

"Ms. Lane, were you aware of the reports about Mr. Bowen kissing a female internet celebrity at a bar some time ago?"

Gathering around Mia, the reporters eagerly seized every opportunity to interrogate her.

Mia's eyes betrayed a hint of impatience upon hearing these questions. The rumors being spread by the Bowens were starting to grate on her nerves.

When had she ever planned to marry into their family? It was utterly ridiculous.

At that moment, a man stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Mia and forcefully pushing aside the reporters’ microphones.

It was Timothy. His commanding presence radiated an air of authority, making it clear he was not someone to be trifled with.

Mia stood quietly behind him, her eyes focused on his back, lost in thought.

She found herself pleasantly surprised by Timothy's reliability. Although he didn't utter a word, the reporters instinctively backed off and refrained from advancing any further.

Mia couldn't help but give him a subtle thumbs-up. Timothy's authoritative presence was undeniably effective.

Leading the way, Timothy effortlessly cleared the path as he walked ahead of her.

The other bodyguards followed suit, positioning themselves on either side of Mia to ward off the approaching reporters.

The short walk went surprisingly smoothly!

Before long, Mia safely reached the check-in area.

Accepting the pen offered by the hostess, she gracefully signed her name, striking a pose for the eager media cameras.

Despite her past efforts to avoid Timothy's attention by staying in the background, she now felt no need to conceal herself any longer.

Upon returning the pen and stepping away from the check-in counter, Mia's high heels slipped, causing her to stumble.

Just as she was about to fall, a man caught her, preventing her from hitting the ground.

The reporters nearby gasped in astonishment, and cameras instantly swiveled toward them, capturing the moment with rapid clicks and flashes.

Mia cast a glance at Timothy, whose eyes were shielded by sunglasses. Fortunately, his disguise would likely prevent him from being recognized.

Swiftly moving away from Timothy's embrace, Mia calmly adjusted her dress and proceeded toward the banquet hall.

Maintaining his stoic expression, Timothy walked beside her. However, as his eyes fell on the back of her dress, a furrow appeared on his brow.

Together, they entered the hall.

Glancing back, Mia realized they were now out of the reporters’ sight. She turned to Timothy and expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your help earlier. Without you, I would have definitely been embarrassed in front of the media!"

In the next instant, Mia felt a weight settle on her shoulders as Timothy removed his suit jacket and draped it over her.

Surprised, Mia looked at him and asked, "What are you doing? It's not cold inside the hall. I don't need to wear a jacket.” “Your dress got torn when you stumbled earlier. Are you sure you want to go in like this without covering up?"

Mia regarded him skeptically. "Really?"

“You can choose not to believe me," Timothy replied, unfazed.

After stealing a glance at him, Mia eventually decided to wear the jacket as she entered the hall. She didn't want to risk any further embarrassment.

As she entered the hall and reached for a glass of champagne, someone approached her.

Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen chapter 840-Isabella strutted over in her high heels, her demeanor proud and haughty. "Mia, I can't believe you're wearing another man's jacket to the banquet. What kind of impression are you giving my brother?"

Raising an eyebrow, Mia responded, “Lewis and I have no relationship. As for whose jacket I wear to the banquet, do you have any say in it?" “But the news outside is all about you and Lewis getting engaged soon. This decision is made by both our families, and whether you agree or not doesn't matter. So you'd better tone it down."

Disgust flickered across Mia's face. "My family has never agreed to me marrying Lewis. Don't try to embellish yourselves.” It had always been the Bowen family's wishful thinking, and now they were even attempting to spread rumors through the media.

At that moment, a middle-aged woman approached Mia and said, "Ms. Lane, don't be hesitant. My son truly adores you. If you consent, our family will organize a lavish wedding for you."

Isabella chimed in, nodding vigorously. "Yes, Mom. But Mia is wearing another man's jacket to the banquet. It's obvious she doesn't care about Lewis. Someone like her isn't deserving of him."

Noticing the jacket draped over Mia's shoulders, Connie interjected, “Ms. Lane, the Bowen family holds considerable status as well. Once you marry into our family, you'll be expected to abide by our rules and let go of any unfavorable habits."

Mia found herself at a loss for words. She hadn't anticipated the audacity of the Bowen family, attempting to impose their expectations on her so assertively.

In the past, Mia had worked to maintain peace between the two prominent families, never openly confronting the Bowens. However, when faced with their brazen behavior now, she felt compelled to assert herself.

Mia's tone turned icy as she remarked, "Lewis has been engaged several times before, hasn't he? And weren't all of his previous fiancées from affluent families?

"Yet every time one of those heiresses became engaged to him, their family fortunes quickly dwindled, absorbed by yours.

“Is it just bad luck, or is Lewis simply a harbinger of misfortune for his wives? Marrying into the Bowen family seems to bring nothing but doom."

"Mia, what nonsense are you talking about? Lewis is far from being a jinx to his wives!"

“If Lewis isn't a curse to his wives, then how do you account for what happened to those wealthy heiresses he was previously engaged to? "Their fortunes disappeared once they became associated with your family, leaving them bankrupt. Would you care to elaborate?"

There was an undeniable air of suspicion hanging over the situation. Mia couldn't comprehend the Bowens" attempt to shift blame onto her. It was utterly absurd!

Connie's unease was palpable as she interjected, "The mismanagement of their family affairs has nothing to do with the Bowen family. We merely extended a helping hand by acquiring their family enterprise.” "If your intentions were truly noble, then why did you call off the engagements immediately after acquiring their businesses?"

"Well, it's a matter of our family's status and reputation. My son cannot marry into a family that has faced financial ruin, can he?"

Mia's smirk grew as she countered, "But those wealthy heiresses were thriving before becoming involved with your family. It's only after their engagement to your family that their fortunes plummeted and bankruptcy ensued.

“If it's not an issue with your family's luck, then what else could it be? It seems clear that your son, Lewis, is the jinx to his wives!"

Connie was left momentarily speechless by Mia's retort, her indignation evident. "Mia, don't become too arrogant. The Bowen family holds considerable prominence in Nord City. Where does Lewis fall short compared to you?"

Isabella added, “Exactly. The Bowen family is currently in discussions with the esteemed Barrett family from Bern City regarding a substantial business venture. If it materializes, our family's status will soar to new heights!

"With this partnership, the balance of power among the prominent families in both Bern City and Nord City could potentially undergo a significant shift!"

It seemed that the Bowens' aspirations certainly reached for the sky. But what could possibly have motivated the Barrett family to consider collaborating with the Bowen family?