Chapter 306

I greeted them both, but Mia's cold silence in response sent a chill down my spine. Something was amiss.

"Hey! What's going on?" I asked, trying to dispel the tension.

Timothy sighed, glancing at Mia before responding, "Hey, Evie. I was about to head out with you, but your mother here seems to have some concerns."

Confusion furrowed my brow as I turned to Mia, awaiting an explanation. "Concerns? Mom, what's happening?"

Mia replied sternly, “He’s not coming.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What? Why not?" I demanded.

"He's dangerous, Evie," Mia stated matter-of-factly. "Our relatives wouldn't appreciate having him around."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Dangerous? Mom, this is ridiculous! His own father will be there, and he knows Timothy didn’t do anything."

Mia's eyes narrowed, her frustration mounting. "Evie, you need to understand-"

"-Mom, this is his family we're talking about. He has a right to be there. They can't just exclude him like this."

Mia seemed taken aback by my defiance, but her resolve seemed to waver slightly. "Evie, I know you care about him, but you have to trust me on this. It's for everyone's comfort."

I shook my head. "Screw their comfort. Either Timothy comes, or I stay here."

After a moment of tense silence, Mia sighed, relenting slightly. "Fine, Evie. If it means that much to you, Timothy can come. But he'll be driving us since I took a taxi here."

I couldn't believe the absurdity of the situation, but I nodded in agreement. "Fine. He'll drive us. Now, can we please get going? We're going to be late."

Mia's stern expression softened slightly as she glanced at Timothy. "Well? Hurry up, then."

The ride to the mansion was filled with a stifling silence, broken only by the distant hum of the city.

Unable to bear the quiet any longer, I decided to confront the issue. "So, Mom. What's going on with you and Kamran?"

Mia's eyes lit up at the mention of Kamran, as if he were her whole world. "Oh, Evie, he's wonderful. So caring and loving. I've never been happier."

Timothy made a noise, and I could see the discomfort in his expression.

Suppressing a sigh, I cut off her fantasy. "Mom, I don't trust him. Timothy warned me that he might have a hand in Dad's conviction."

Mia's expression turned frosty. "You two are too young to understand these things. Kamran has nothing to do with Timothy’s situation. He's a good man."

Frustration bubbled within me. "Maybe you're being naive, Mom. Timothy trusted Kamran, and now he's in trouble. Think about it."

Mia's gaze hardened, and a bitter exchange of angry words ensued throughout the remainder of the car ride. The celebratory atmosphere was replaced by an awkward silence. I turned to Timothy, ready to confront him about the mysterious situation, but he warned me not to bring it up with Mia.

"Evie, don't mention it to your mother. She doesn't know what's going on," Timothy said, his voice tight with a hint of frustration.

Mia, who had overheard our conversation, chimed in sharply, "Don't insult my intelligence, Timothy. I may not know all the details, but I can sense when something's not right."

The tension escalated, and I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. "Let me handle this," I muttered to Timothy as we stepped out of the car.

Timothy nodded, offering to park the car as we walked toward the mansion. The air grew even more uncomfortable, and I couldn't let it persist. Hauling Mia aside, I confronted her right there.

"Mom, you can't just dismiss Timothy like this. What's going on?" I demanded, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “You act like you know him.”

Mia acted clueless, feigning innocence. "Evie, I don't know what you're talking about. Timothy is a complicated man from what I’ve heard, and there are things you don't understand."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation. "Kamran tampered with evidence from Bruce’s case before Stella's death. He was trying to hide Stella's crimes until she died."

Mia waved her hand dismissively. "Evie, Kamran was probably doing what he thought was best. It didn't seem like he cared much about Stella in the matter."

My annoyance flared. "You're defending him? This makes Timothy look bad too!"

Mia shot me a condescending look. "Evie, sometimes you're so desperate for love that you're blind to the truth. Timothy might not be the man you think he is."

Just as I was about to lash out at my mother, Timothy walked up and took my hand. "Shall we head inside?" he suggested, trying to steer the conversation.

I glared at Mia, holding back the words on the tip of my tongue. "Fine," I muttered, following Timothy inside.

The grandeur of the mansion seemed to mock me. As we entered, the lively chatter of guests filled the air, as though none of them held a single care in the world.

The night pressed on, with strained smiles and forced pleasantries. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something crucial had been left unsaid. The party continued around us, but our family drama loomed like a specter, threatening to overshadow the celebration.

In a quiet corner, away from prying eyes, I whispered to Timothy, "What is she talking about? Is your father saying stuff to her?"

Timothy sighed, his eyes reflecting a mixture of frustration and sadness. "I have no clue why he would. Besides, she doesn't understand the whole story, and I can't blame her for being wary."

Before I could respond, Mia approached us, her gaze scrutinizing. "What are you two whispering about over here?" she inquired, a hint of suspicion in her voice. “Stop being antisocial and come with me.”

Timothy quickly deflected, "Just catching up, Mia. We’re right behind you.”

Mia leered at him, then took my hand despite my other one still being attached to Timothy’s. "Evie, I have a few people I want you to meet."

I couldn't hold back any longer. "Mom, Timothy and I know how to socialize."

Her expression hardened as she looked back at me, then cupped a hand to her ear. "Did you say something?"

I bit back a retort, my frustration reaching its peak. Just as the argument seemed ready to explode, Andy approached, diverting our attention.

"Evie, Timothy, Mia! So glad you could make it. Looks like the night’s going to get interesting!" he exclaimed, his cheeks already red. He took a sip of his glass and nodded to the music.

"Andy, go somewhere and get yourself together," Mia instructed, her tone suprsingly firm. "Is that your third glass tonight? I might have to tell the bartender to cut your tab short."

Andy's response was a careless wave of his hand. "Come on, Mia, I'm just having a good time. No need to be such a buzzkill."

Mia's patience wore thin, her frustration evident. "Andy, you're going to cause a scene. Go somewhere and sober up. We're here for a family gathering, not to deal with your antics."

The exchange between Mia and Andy drew the attention of nearby partygoers, their curious glances adding to the awkward atmosphere. Timothy shifted uncomfortably, and I could sense the tension escalating. She spoke to Andy as if he were her own son, but he seemed attentive to her instructions,

"Fine, fine,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I'll go find another spot to have some fun. But don't act like you're better than me. Later."

Reluctantly, Andy stumbled away into the depths of the party Mia took a deep breath, then continued leading us through the crowd.

"Let's not let certain people spoil the evening," Mia remarked, attempting to restore a semblance of normalcy. "We're here for a family gathering, and we're going to make the most of it."

Timothy and I exchanged glances. This night could get very interesting indeed.