At this moment. Patricia tugged at Mia. “We’re in no rush to do that. The rest of your brothers and


    cousins are on their way here, so you can head home after you’ve met them. Home is where your


    family is, right?”


    Dominic gave Patricia a grateful look. If not for her love and care for Mia, Mia’s life would’ve been even


    tougher. He said respectfully, “I’ve already booked us rooms here. Let’s have dinner at the restaurant.”


    Mia walked together with Patricia as Dominic led the way. She noticed he wasn’t much of a talker and


    seemed rather unapproachable. Still, he seemed to be quite rich!


    They headed downstairs from the hotel’s rooftop. The ce wasvishly decorated; Mia had never


    been somewhere like this before.


    Dominic’s heart twisted painfully at the thought of the old, rundown apartment Mia was going to return


    to.


    She looked at him. “Are you okay?”


    “Yeah. There’s just something in my eye. Mia, do you want to move somewhere else?” Dominic had


    prepared several homes. He had to pick the grandest vi possible for Mia!


    She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m happy with my old home. That’s where I grew up; no vi can


    compare to it. I wouldn’t swap it for the world.”


    Dominic swallowed the words that were about to roll off his tongue. It made sense, really. He was the


    one who’d lost Mia all those years ago, and he hadn’t fulfilled even a single one of his duties as her


    older brother.


    This was why she wasn’t interested in staying in the vis he had.


    He said gently, “Alright, then. We’ll go with whatever you want.”


    If Mia could stay there, so could he. He decided to stand by her no matter what.


    Maybe he could buy the whole building, then evacuate the other units so they could have some maids


    stay


    with them. That way, they could serve Mia at any time.


    It sounded like a perfect n.


    As they arrived at the lobby, Dominic nced at his phone. “Mia, I’m getting a call from my wife. You


    guys can


    head over to the restaurant and take your seats.”


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He walked to one side and answered the call. A woman’s bright and jovial voice rang out on the other


    end of


    the line. “Honey, I’ve brought a stack of deeds, some pearls that I’ve treasured over the years, limited-


    edition


    bags, and your brothers’ favorite cars. We can see what your sister likes.”


    Dominic sighed. “I think we’ll have to set those aside for now.”


    “Why?”


    “Mia’s not as easily coaxed as I thought. Or at least, she can’t be persuaded with money!”


    “I told you so, Dominic Lane. I told you to wait for me, but you insisted on heading over earlier to pick


    her up. Do you think that mouth of yours is capable of spouting nice things? You guys have lost Mia for


    so many


    ??


    “She must be resentful of you, and you aren’t the best at exining things. Your presence there doesn’t


    do anything!”


    Dominic rubbed his forehead. “What should I do now?”


    He’d just been too anxious. It just so happened that he’d been in the city for a business trip, so he’d


    hurried over as quickly as possible.


    “What else can you do? You’ve already ruined things. It looks like a pitiful act is the only thing that can


    save you now.”


    “What pitiful act?”


    “I don’t know. Think about it yourself. Whatever it is, don’t let Mia know that while she’s been suffering,


    you and your brothers have been enjoying life.”


    On the other hand, Mia and Patricia headed to the restaurant.


    Patricia felt awkward. She said lowly, “Your brother seems to be really rich. I guess that means you


    won’t have to suffer anymore.”


    “Things aren’t so straightforward with people from rich families, Aunt Patricia. I don’t even know why I


    was abandoned. I might just be getting out of the frying pan and into the fire,” Mia said.


    “Hush, don’t say that! A fortune teller once said you’d live a wonderful life.”


    Mia linked arms with Patricia. “Since he sent the helicopter to pick me up, I’m guessing that means he


    knows about me and Timothy.”


    “No, he doesn’t. I told him you were working part-time at the vi. I knew you didn’t want to publicize


    your


    rtionship with Timothy, so I didn’t tell anyone.”


    Mia sighed in relief. That was good.


    Suddenly, her adoptive parents, Mary Lancaster and Bob Bowen, burst out of nowhere and started


    yelling at her. “You’re a heartless ingrate, Mia Bowen! €1


    “You used to be an unwanted orphan; we were kind enough to take you into our home. But now, you’ve


    found


    your rich family, and you want to rid yourself of us. We’re your saviors, you know!”