Chapter 8 Why Are You Back?
Back then, Joe didn’t believe Mia, and now he didn’t believe her either.
Even though Mia insisted that the matter had nothing to do with her, Joe felt compelled to make her admit it.
Mia had just stepped out of the corridor when she saw Frank coming toward her with a look of surprise, “Miss Clinton,” he said.
Upon seeing Joe not far behind Mia, he paused for a moment, “Mr. Smith? Sir Smith was looking for you just now. You…”
Joe didn’t hear Frank’s reference to Mia, but he did notice that Frank’s enthusiasm for her was somewhat strange.
He frowned and glanced at Mia lightly without saying anything.
Frank, sensing that something was amiss between the two, hesitated and asked, “Miss Clinton, do you know Mr. Smith?”
Mia shook her head with a poker face, “I don’t know him.”
She walked away quickly, and Frank hurried to follow, leaving Joe standing there, grinding his teeth.
Upon entering the grand hall, Mia heard a frail voice calling out, “Mia?”
*
Sir Smith had always been kind to her, and she held him in high regard. Glancing past the tall man beside him, Mia put on a smile, “Sir Smith.”
No sooner had she called out to him than Sir Smith’s expression darkened, “Silly girl, why are you being distant with me?”
In front of everyone, not wanting to upset the old man, steeled herself and said, “Grandpa.”
Sir Smith was satisfied.
Mia
He took Mia’s hand with a beaming smile, “Come, tell Grandpa where you’ve been these last few years. Back then…”
Watching them walk away, Joe’s eyes gradually darkened.
Those who were there for the banquet were also surprised. Sir Smith usually kept his distance from others; when had he ever been so affectionate?
Wasn’t Miss Swan supposed to be engaged to Mr. Smith? Who was this newcomer?
As Joe was about to follow them, a soft, coquettish voice came from behind, “Joe?”
Wendy affectionately walked over and took Joe’s arm, “Were you waiting for me here?”
She had specially chosen an off-shoulder dress for the occasion,
making her look more delicate.
Seeing Wendy, Joe frowned almost imperceptibly and said lightly, “No.”
Wendy’s expression froze, not expecting Joe to be so direct. Before she could say anything, she saw a graceful woman standing near Sir Smith and immediately felt a sense of alarm.
Mia was currently declining Sir Smith’s invitation to join him on stage, “Grandpa, it’s not appropriate for me to go up there with my current status.”
Sir Smith roared, “What status? I told you long ago that I only recognize you as my granddaughter-in-law. The rest doesn’t count!”
After marrying Joe for a few years, the only warmth Mia had ever received from the Smith family was from Sir Smith. She could only smile gently now, “Joe and I are divorced now, and he should be married to Miss Swan. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to appear.”
“No,” Joe, who had appeared beside them at some point, refuted Mia’s statement subconsciously.
But his low voice was completely drowned out by Wendy’s shrill one, and no one heard him.
Wendy stared incredulously at Mia, “Why are you here!”
