The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride by Whispering Willow

Chapter 184 The Words Did Not Sink In

Vera wished to speak out impulsively, but she feared alarming the Chase family. After all, Mia was her best friend, and she couldn't afford to be too reckless. She already felt guilty for using her today. "Mia, I won't stay for dinner. Patrick is coming soon, so I'll wait for him at the door. You all go ahead and eat."

Descending the stairs, Vera prepared to leave. Mia and Sebastian insisted on seeing her off. As they stood at the entrance, it wasn't long before Patrick drove up. He understood Vera's intentions; she had deliberately asked him to come so he could see Mia for himself and dispel any doubts. He appreciated Vera's thoughtfulness and came in person.

"Patrick is here, so I'll be going now."

Patrick parked the car and stepped out, noticing the girl who was as tall and similarly built as Vera, and the familiar face of Sebastian. He walked over and shook hands with Sebastian. "Hello, I'm Vera's husband, Patrick."

"Nice to meet you. In Donnicia, everyone knows Mr. Olteran. I'm Sebastian, the captain of the police department."

As they shook hands, Vera sensed an odd tension in the air. She quickly pulled Patrick's attention toward Mia. "Honey, this is Mia, me and Randall's best friend."

Mia, having been noticed by him before, glanced awkwardly at Patrick and then, somewhat fearfully, moved closer to Sebastian. Patrick looked at her without saying a word. "I've picked up Vera, so we'll be leaving now. See you next time," Patrick said calmly, as if he and Mia were meeting for the first time.

Sebastian nodded, and he and Mia watched the car drive away. After they left, his brow furrowed, sensing a hint of danger. He turned to Mia, "Mia, come inside with me." "Okay."

On the way home, Vera asked Patrick, "Did you notice anything?"

Patrick didn't reveal his true thoughts to Vera, only giving her the answer she wanted to hear. "No."

In the following days, to help clear Mia's name and to help Patrick see the truth, Vera put in a lot of effort. She frequently visited the Chase Villa. Even Shawn got jealous. "You don't take me along, but you take Mia everywhere. Why?"

and Mia undisturbed. She opened the photo album she hadn't finished looking through that day. Mia pointed to a picture and said, "This is

she had no bangs, but in the other, she did. The two children looked completely different. Without needing further explanation, Vera confirmed that Mia was not Patrick's

forget? I

photos that year. Chickenpox was contagious, and no one dared to come near her, not even for her birthday. The next photo was of Mia at seven years old. "Is this you?" Vera asked, pointing to the

nodded. "Yes, it was my brother's 12th birthday. I mischievously smeared cake on his face, and he didn't hold back, smearing cake all over mine. My

sorry,"

Mia looked puzzled. "Why?"

She got up, washed her face,

Patrick was also looking at a photo of Mia at five years old. His face was expressionless,

"Go on," Patrick said.

found Mia's birth certificate. I also interviewed Mr. Chase's former aides and visited Mia's hometown. I even investigated among Sebastian's classmates. It confirms that Mia is indeed a member of the Chase family. She was never lost. We showed Mrs. Molly Olteran's picture around, and the neighbors all said they

the photo away. "You can go now. Vera will be here

pushed the door open, she

as he saw

your sister. I've seen all her

up and opened a bottle of drink for Vera. She took a sip and said, "You must have been mistaken

"Alright, I was mistaken."

his laptop. "Vera, shall we go

"Another date?"

to see them as routine, losing any sense of anticipation. Last time, she couldn't sleep at night, so he took her to the mountains to watch the stars. According to Patrick, they were stargazing and dating. She had merely complained about being bored at home, and Patrick took her to an amusement park, where they spent the entire day. It wasn't until they got home that she remembered she had

was quick-witted. "Honey, does that mean I can graduate even if I don't go