Chapter 27

Mia rushed to the hospital and took out her three years’ worth of savings to pay for the hospital bills.

It was a private hospital, but even though it was expensive, it provided the best care for James, giving

him a higher chance of recovery.

That being said, the medical fees were 100,000 dollars a month!

Mia massaged her forehead. She had forgotten that the Barretts had been paying for James’ medical

expenses. Now that they were getting a divorce, Timothy no longer had any reason to continue footing

the bill.

She took out the competition invitation. If she won first place, she would be getting a million in prize

money.

Then, she sent a message to her friend, Gina Palmer. “Gigi, you mentioned the Fleur International

Design Competition’s setup a while back. Can you send me a copy of the information? I plan on taking

part this year.”

Gina’s reply came soon after. “Of course. You’re finally making a comeback, huh? If you join the

competition, I’m sure you’ll come out on top. Everyone idolized the alternate identity you were using

back then.”

Mia rubbed her fingers against the invitation she was holding.

It was time for her to start a new life.

When Mia went back, she found a group of people with Dominic. There was a woman and five other

handsome young men. Were they her brothers and cousins?

Dominic spoke up, “Mia, allow me to introduce them to you. This is Eva, my wife and your sister-in-law.

These two are Nathan and Connor, your older brothers. The other three are your older cousins.”

Mia had mixed emotions. She simply nodded lightly in response as she didn’t know what to say to

them. For some reason, she felt awkward around them.

Just then, Patricia said, “Mia, the hospital called me just now. They said we need to make payment.”

“I’ve already paid the hospital bills, Aunt Patricia. Don’t worry about it,” Mia assured.

Nathan chimed in, “How much more do you need for the hospital bills, Mia? We can help.

Mia found six pairs of eyes on her. They were all filled with some kind of longing.

The six men were desperately hoping that Mia would ask them for money.

They had more than enough to spare!

Mia shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I have enough money for now.”

She figured it wasn’t easy for them to make a living, so she didn’t want to burden them.

As long as she joined the competition, she would be able to get a source of income.

Alas, Mia’s six brothers and cousins had been ready to brandish the debit cards in their pockets, but to

their dismay, she had rejected their offer.

They couldn’t even spend money on her! How useless of them!

Liam hastily broke the silence. “You’re incredible, Mia. If you need money, make sure you tell us, okay?

You’re not alone anymore. You have a family now. You have us.”

Mia nodded. “I got it.”

It was precisely because she now had a family that she felt the need to work hard and earn a living.

As Mia looked at her brothers and cousins, she finally voiced the question that had been brewing inside

her mind, “Why did the family abandon me back then? Was it because I’m female?”

In an instant, all was silent.

Dominic lifted his head and cupped his face. After a while, he said hoarsely, “Mia, you’re the only

daughter in

the family. Every single one of us loved you and cherished you. We didn’t abandon you!”

Mia froze a little. “How did I end up an orphan then?”

At last, she was asking the burning question.

It was something she wanted to know from the start, but the negative thoughts that gnawed at her heart

held

her back. She assumed her biological family was rich, so she didn’t want to ask that question. She was

afraid she would hear a disappointing answer.

However, she now knew that the family wasn’t a wealthy one, and all six of her brothers and cousins

had been

treating her very well, so she decided to ask the question after all.

Dominic couldn’t take his hands off his face. His eyes were a little reddened. In the end, he said, “You

explain, Jason.”

Jason was a lawyer. He would certainly be able to give a clear explanation that would dispel any

chances of Mia misunderstanding them.

After adjusting his glasses, Mia’s cousin, Jason, explained, “Back then, your parents both got into a car

accident and passed away. Their business rivals had plotted against the family’s company, so the

family went bankrupt and fell into a huge debt.

“Without someone to lead the family, we all became poor. You were very young then, and the nanny

was very careless with you. She accidentally lost you. We’ve spent the last two decades or so looking

for you.”