Chapter 11
Chapter Ten Juliana’s Insults
“Have fun at school, babies I kissed Ryker and Rybe goodbye, bending down
g down to their level.
“I will, Mommy!” Ryle replied, scrapping her small arms around my neck. “We’ll finish the dreamcatcher later?”
I nodded, smiling, smoothing down her hair. “We will. Just make sure you eat all your
ir stucks, okay?”
Rybie modded eagerly, already bouncing on her feet, her little backpack swinging behind her.
I named to Ryker. “Don’t let her have too many sweets, Ryker.”
Ryker nodded, held Kylie’s hand, and led her toward their classroom. Watching them walk away together always filled me with pride and unease. They were growing up so fast
As I headed to my car, I could feel someone watching me. I didn’t bother looking for them.
He’s already digging, huh!
My chest tightened as my heartbeat picked up its pace. Taking a deep breath, Lelenched my lists and slid into the driver’s s
seat.
“It’s okay, Mia” I muttered under my breath, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “Everything’s good. You’re Mia Miller nothing will change There’s nothing to worry about.”
But the anger bubbling inside me just wouldn’t disappear. The fact that they came to n
How dare they!
my children’s school didn’t sit well with me.
I drove my car faster than usual, and when I glanced at the side mirror, seeing the car railing me, it confirmed my hunch. I was being followed.
I was so close to contacting that man, but I knew that would be even more dangerous.
Sighing. I pressed a button on the console, and the soft, cheerful tunes of my children’s favorite songs filled the car. The familiarity of the music worked its magic, soothing the edges of my panic. My breathing steadied as I hummed along, forcing my focus to shift.
By the time I pulled up to the office building. I had composed myself–at least on the outside.
“Good morning. Mu Ralph, the security guard,
- greeted me with a cheerful wave as I stepped out of the car.
“Morning, Ralph!” I replied, my smile feeling more natural than I expected.
Many employees greeted me along the way, and that also helped calm me down. I smiled and returned all their greetings. That’s night, I’m Mia Miller. Everyone here knows me as Mia Miller–secretary of the CEO, Gavin Winslow.
was about to step into the elevator when I froze, hearing a familiar voice call my name.
Smiling politely at the employees waiting for the elevator, I said, “I’ll take the next one.” “Good morning, Ma’am I greeted Juliana Wi
Window with a forced smile, though I could feel the tension tightening every muscle in my body Juluna’s eyes flicked over me briefly, her expression anreadable, as if I was barely worth her attention.
She didn’t get me back, instead, she entered the private elevator reserved for executives and hosses like
I only ride that one when I’m with Gavin
“What are you waiting for Juliana snapped, her tone cutting through my hesitation. She was already inside the elevator, her sharp gaze pinning me in place. Her secretary, Addie, scurred in after her, her arms full of papers and files.
Forcing a smule, I followed them and entered the elevator.
“Do you need help. Addie” I asked, noticing Addie about to say something but quickly shutting up and shaking her head when she met Juliana
11:12 AM
Chapter li
ΠΙ
“I heard from Gavin that you convinced him to let me do this pro
project…
1 swallowed hard, fully aware of what she was talking about. I wanted to smack Gavin’s head right now. Did he really have to say that!
“But you’re not expecting me to thank you and feel grateful for that, right?”
You’ve never liked me, and you always find fault in everything I do. Why would I think that?
“No, Maam and I really didn’t do anything–
“Oh, please, stop acting mice. Gavin, my parents, and Travis aren’t here. You could just be yourself, you know. You can even fight back at me because I can’t hire you. I can’t touch you because you’re backed up by my brother and my parents. You’ve manipulated them all these years and made them believe in your sappy story, but that won’t work on me. I’ll never be deceived by a woman like you”
I clenched my fists and didn’t reply. This wasn’t the first time she’d done this. I was used to it.
She smirked. “Come on, Mia, show me your true colors”
1 remained quiet. I could fight back but I don’t want to complicate things. She could insult me all she wanted. She could try to break me. But I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me falter.
I didn’t say anything, and I knew it angered her even more to see no reaction from me.
She scoffed. “I still don’t understand why Gavin doesn’t want to associate Winslow with the Andersons, but I have this feeling it concerns you
“I have no connection with them, Ma’am,” I said quickly,
It was the wrong move. Seeing Juliana’s reaction, I immediately regretted not staying silent.
She raised an eyebrow at me. “At your level, I know you don’t have what it takes to be connected with them, but then I remember–you’ve even managed to wrap my brother and parents around your little finger”
“We’re be
here. Maam,” Addie cut in as the elevator doors opened.
1 silently thanked her. I knew it took a lot of courage to interrupt Juliana and stop her relentless insults
“How dare you interrupt me!” Juliana snapped, glaring at Addie.
Addie bowed her head, her hands trembling slightly
Juliana turned her sharp gare back to me. “We’ll have a meeting in thirty minutes. Buy coffee for everyone.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll order–”
“I want you to personally buy it for everyone, Mia,” she said with a wicked smile.
All I could do was nod silently, swallowing my pride.
Addie gave me an apologetic look as she hurried after her boss. I nunaged a small, reassuring smile before pressing the elevator button to leave
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