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 this time, Sebastian wasn't home, leaving her and Mia undisturbed. She opened the photo album she

time, labeled [Mia at five years old]. In one picture, 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 biological sister. After all, even if someone wanted to fake it, they couldn't have done so fifteen years ago, especially since Mia had photos from ages one to five. "Where's your six-year-old

I had chickenpox when

didn't take any 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

smearing cake all over mine. My parents

sorry," she

Mia looked puzzled. "Why?"

her face, and then left,

of Mia at five years old. His face was expressionless, and Jack hesitated whether to continue

"Go on," Patrick said.

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

while, he saw someone through the surveillance screen. He put the

As she pushed the

as he saw

isn't your sister. I've

for Vera. She took

"Alright, I was mistaken."

closed his laptop. "Vera, shall we

"Another date?"

to Patrick, they were stargazing and dating. She had merely complained about being bored at

can graduate even if