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?"

was at the Chase family again, and this time, Sebastian wasn't home, leaving her and Mia undisturbed. She opened the photo album she hadn't finished

it was another photo taken at the same 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

replied, "Did you forget? I had chickenpox when

take any photos that year. Chickenpox was contagious, and no one dared to come near her, not

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 parents laughed so hard and took this photo of me." Later, as Mia's face gradually

sorry," she

Mia looked puzzled. "Why?"

up, washed her face, and then left, planning

Mia at five years old.

"Go on," Patrick said.

indeed a member of the Chase family. She was never lost. We showed Mrs. Molly Olteran's

the

As she pushed the

as

I've seen all her photos from childhood; it can't

up and opened a bottle of drink for Vera. She took

"Alright, I was mistaken."

shall we go on

"Another date?"

dates so frequently that she began 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

was quick-witted. "Honey, does that mean I can graduate even if I