Chapter 20 Mia's face froze , that sweet innocent look cracking in an instant . She stared at Katherine in disbelief . " What did you just say ? You mean I can't afford it ? " She let out a stiff laugh and retorted , " Sis , you gotta be kidding me ." Mia and Katherine were about the same age , but when they were kids , Mia never liked admitting that Katherine was her sister Miranda had even told Richard that it was just a sign that the two girls got along well . Most of the time , Mia only ever called Katherine " Sis " when she felt guilty or needed a favor , and even then , she said it like she'd just bitten into something sour Right now , Katherine couldn't be less interested in hearing that word come out of Mia's mouth . I ain't kidding . I'm dead serious , " Katherine said , shifting to lounge on her side while sparing a glance at Mia's awkward face . Katherine was in the best mood . She smiled , " Of course , you could just not pay me . I'll have Dad dock it from your allowance , " Katherine thought , Wow . How did I not realize before that I could totally mess with Mia whenever I want ? And thinking back . I used to go out of my way to please her , worrying she'd get mad . That's ridiculous . " Kate , why are you even mad at me ? " Mia asked , taking a couple of steps forward , wearing her most pitiful face . But in her mind , she thought , I have to figure it out today . If I drag this out , once Katherine's belly starts to show , nothing can be hidden then . ' Katherine said in a light tone . " Oh , nothing . Just finally saw through your true colors . " Every word hit Mia like a lightning strike . She touched her chest without thinking and retorted , " My true colors ? What's that supposed to mean ? What exactly did y you see ? " Katherine frowned , and Mia instantly realized she'd slipped . She softened her tone . " Kate , just tell me what's wrong . We're family , aren't She hinted , " Don't let outsiders mess things up between us . " While speaking , Mia stepped onto the carpet . Drops of water from her hair fell onto the fine wool carpet . " Oops . You messed it up . Pay up , Katherine cut her off . ' 100 grand . Cash or wire transfer ? " Mia looked down at the soft carpet under her feet and frowned . She though Tm trying to talk from the heart , and she's just calculating how to take my money . Mia's face grew cloudy . She went for her usual move and spoke up , " Kate , you're really gonna nickel - and - dime me like this ? All these years , my mom worked her butt off to take care of you , gave you money , and ... " " Hold it " Katherine clicked her tongue , cutting Mia off . " First off , the money wasn't from your mom . It was from my dad . Second , she was my stepmom . I was underage buck then . Taking care of me was her job , wasn't it ? " Katherine forced a mocking smile as she stared at Mia . " Or are you saying all that care and concern you guys gave me back then was just to guilt - trip me now ? " Mia's mouth opened , but nothing came out . She thought bitterly . This is not the Katherine who used to agree with everything we said . Look at her , sharp - tongued as hell ... Has she been faking it in front of us all along ? " Mia showed a bitter laugh . " No , that's not what I meant ." Right now , she couldn't think of anything else . All she could do was try to calm Katherine down for the moment Katherine tilted her head , flashing Mia a bright smile . "You didn't mean that ? Then don't say that stuff again . I hate to hear those words . " Mia told herself , Breathe . Just breathe , Remember why you came here ! Katherine was already waiting for Mia to blow up . Honestly , she was kinda hoping Mia would come over and take a swing at her . Then , she'd have an excuse to call security , have Mia roughed up , and toss her out . 1/2 Chapter 20 Too bad Mia wasn't that dumb . She knew better than to completely burn bridges with Katherine . Mia's face kept switching between pale and flushed until she finally forced out a stiff smile . " Yeah , let's just talk about something else ." Right then , Maeve came back with some clothes and led Mia to a room on the fir first floor . " Ms. Grant , this way please . " Mia stared at the room door and frowned . " Wait , you're telling me to change in the maid's room ? " She turned to look at Katherine , but Katherine just picked up the fresh - squeezed Of , turned her back to Mia , and acted like shed heard nothing- Katherine thought , Just a room to change . You should be grateful for having a space to do that . What are you even whining about ? " Sering Katherine stay quiet , Maeve felt a little thrill . She marveled . Finally , Madam sees her sister for who she really is Maeve didn't hesitate but retorted , " Ms. Grant , if you don't like the room , feel free to change in the living room . The second floor is private . Without Mr. Graham's permission , nobody but Mrs. Graham is allowed up there . Mia didn't dare blow up at Katherine , but no way was she letting a mere housekeeper talk down to her . She shot back , " Didn't you just go upstairs ? You think I'm that easy to fool ? " Maeve's tone stayed even . " I surely got Mr. Graham's permission . If you insist , I can call him for you right now ." She lifted her chin , showing a hint of challenge and scorn in her eyes . " Ms. Grant , do you need me to make a call now ? " The second Mia heard Meave mention Derrick , she went quiet . She knew Derrick didn't play by the rules . His methods were ruthless , and he didn't blink when coming after someone . Right now , Mia and Miranda's personal accounts were still frozen . Thinking about that , Mia wouldn't dare actually bother him with a call Mia shot Maeve a nasty glare and threatened . " Just you wait . " By the time Katherine finished her juice , Mia finally came out of the room . She tugged at the dress and complained , " What is this ? It's so tight " The dress itself was nice - a dark red velvet gown that really showed off one's figure . The problem was that it was one of Katherine's old dresses. Mia had a good - looking face , but she was curvier , and on her , the dress just looked a bit off . Katherine even wondered , " How the hell did she even get into it ? Maeve came out of the kitchen with a little cake , and what she saw was a long red lump wriggling in the living room . She couldn't help but laugh . Mia glared at Marve , barking the order like she owned the place , " What are you laughing at ? What the hell is this dress you gave me ? Go get me another one ." Maeve ignored Mia and set the cake down in front of Katherine . " Ma'am , should I bring her another outfit ? " " Nope . Katherine scooped up a bit of frosting and popped it in her mouth , closing her eyes in bliss at the creamy texture . " Mia and I don't have the same build . No matter how many outfits she tries, it'll all look like this . " Mia's face went dark upon hearing that . In the end , she could only sit down beside Katherine , the dress squeezing her like a boa Kath 2/2