Chapter 174

Mia remained resolute, never glancing back throughout the entire ordeal.

Timothy stood in place, retracting his gaze before proceeding toward the adjacent elevator.

Maya caught up swiftly, her voice brimming with excitement. “Timothy, I’d love to invite my brothers to

our

engagement ceremony. What do you think?”

Unfazed, Timothy replied, “Suit yourself.”

Their engagement was merely a transaction, after all.

A subtle smirk adorned Maya’s expression. “Timothy, is this a business dinner? How about I join you?”

“That would be unnecessary. This is a men’s gathering. Do you really want to intrude?” Timothy

retorted.

With a cold expression, he entered the elevator, leaving Maya behind. Even with her resilience, all she

could do was watch as the elevator doors closed before her.

Maya grappled with a sense of reluctance, but for the time being, she had to go along with it.

Nonetheless, if Timothy were to agree to her proposal of inviting her brothers to their engagement, that

would be acceptable too.

With a glimmer of hope, she dialed Dominic’s number. “Dominic, there’s something I’d like to discuss

with you.

At the Lane residence in Nord City, Dominic lounged comfortably on the sofa. “Go ahead,” he

responded..

“In just a few days, Timothy and I will be getting engaged, and this means a lot to me.

“I truly wish to have my family there on that special day. So, could you, Nathan, and Connor attend our

engagement ceremony?”

Dominic couldn’t help but frown. He wasn’t exactly fond of Timothy.

He responded vaguely, “It depends on my schedule. I’ll try to make it if I’m free.”

“Dominic, it’s crucial that you find the time to come. It would feel incredibly lonely without a single family

member present. Grandma always mentioned she would attend my wedding if it ever happened.

“However, considering the distance to Bern City, I didn’t want to trouble her to come just for the

engagement.”

With a frown, Dominic advised, “Let’s avoid discussing this with Grandma. We wouldn’t want her

insisting on making the journey to Bern City.

“Considering her health, a long trip might worsen her condition.”

Maya’s eyes betrayed a hint of disappointment, but her tone remained composed. “That’s precisely my

intention and the reason I called to invite you, Nathan, and Connor to come over.”

After a brief pause, Dominic responded, “Connor is already in Bern City, so he should be able to make

it. I’ll

+15 BONOS

“Thanks, Dominic.” Maya said before ending the call, a trace of coldness playing on her lips.

It seemed that Dominic was only willing to compromise when it came to Laura.

Maya quietly reminded herself to endure a bit longer. Once she married Timothy and took on the title of

Mrs. Barrett, she wouldn’t need to tread so carefully.

Seated in a private booth, Mia and Felix finished their dinner.

As a true gentleman, Felix apologized, “Mia, I’m sorry about the Wilhelmina situation. If I hadn’t brought

her to the studio in the first place, none of this would have happened.”

“It’s not your fault, Felix, Mia reassured him.

Mia was aware of the support Wilhelmina had from Shelly and Maya, but given Wilhelmina’s timid

nature, she posed no real threat to Mia.

Without power or influence, one could only endure and swallow their pride.

Taking a brief moment in the restroom, Mia looked at herself in the mirror, recalling the scene of

Timothy and Maya dining together. Surely, they must have finished their meal by now.

Gently caressing her belly, she found comfort in the presence of her unborn child. With a baby on the

way, there was nothing else worth fretting about.

Exiting the restroom, Mia coincidentally crossed paths with Timothy. Her gaze shifted instinctively

behind him. but she didn’t spot Maya.

Was he alone?

Timothy’s gaze fell upon Mia’s hands, tenderly placed over the small bump of her abdomen.