When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0284

Chapter 0284

Winter’s so–called “cousin who rarely kept in touch and wasn’t that close with now that they’re grown up turned out to care about her so much.

Then again, it made sense. Though Paul often seemed distant and aloof, Miranda knew he was just too busy to wear his concerns and affections on his sleeve. Deep down, he was more tender–hearted than

anyone.

“If something like today happens again, you can contact me anytime,” he said, pausing as he glanced at her, seemingly by chance.

He continued, “Alcohol stimulates the nervous system, at best, it causes nausea and vomiting. At worst, it can lead to fainting or even shock. So, it’s better to drink less, wouldn’t you agree?”

Miranda’s face flushed, and her ears turned a shade of pink. She knew he was indirectly speaking to her.

She cleared her throat and defended herself, “Even ugh alcohol has many side effects, it also helps people temporarily forget their troubles. Occasion, zoning out and venting properly is a way to manage emotions, wouldn’t you say?”

Paul hadn’t expected her not only to rebut but to mimic his phrasing in return, and he couldn’t help but laugh. “There are many ways to vent, does it have to be through drinking?”

“Well… it depends on the person. What if some people prefer it?” she replied.

Paul stopped walking and suddenly turned to face her. “Do you like it?”

Miranda hesitated briefly, meeting his intense gaze before quickly looking away. She shook her head, saying, “I don’t like it.”

Even when Hansel hurt her deeply in the past, she never turned to alcohol for comfort. She knew that escaping wasn’t a solution.

She was terrified of losing control, drifting into a foggy, Intoxicated state where she couldn’t think clearly. Paul’s smile widened slightly. “No wonder Natalie’s worried that Winter will be a bad influence on you.”

Miranda looked puzzled. “What?”

*If there’s ever a day you feel like drinking, you can call me,” he said.

“Call you so you can help clean up the mess?” she asked, unable to stop herself from laughing.

Paul nodded but then shook his head. “Aside from that, I might even join you for a drink.”

Miranda blinked, “You? Drink with me?”

She couldn’t quite picture Paul drinking.

“What? You don’t believe me?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t,” Miranda said, shaking her head.

you can test that

Chapter 0284

+25 BONUS

“Sure.”

soft, like calm water. It was as if it could easily pull someone

a Mercedes sped past them, interrupting the budding

at the sky. “Looks like it’s about to rain. Let’s

started walking. Paul stayed in place for a moment while watching her retreating figure. There was a smile tugging at

Mercedes, Hansel glanced in his rearview mirror, watching the two figures walking together. His grip

She smiled more ten, but

goals in life and new people to accompany her. Whether it

didn’t want to admit it, Miranda was doing far better without him than he had imagined. But the more he saw her thriving,

Why?

was she able to let go so easily, to move on so decisively,

that moment, Hansel found himself resenting her. He resented her for being so heartless, for not giving

Chapter 0285

was midnight when heavy rain started to fall. Hansel drove back to the

didn’t want to

front of him, he realized the place was

pulled out a cigarette and lit

confined space of the car, the smoke lingered, trapped with nowhere to escape. The crimson glow of the cigarette burned at his fingertips,

darkness, almost merging with the

to smoke a cigarette was neither too long nor too short. As the cigarette

that giving up on Miranda was simply not lost her didn’t mean he couldn’t

he once had her

could return to how

stepped out of the car, flicked the cigarette butt away, and walked toward the

Ingrid was standing at the door, her face beaming with a smile. Hansel glanced

“Heh_”

could finish her sentence, Hansel walked past her without a second glance. It was as if she was nothing

quickly reappeared. She kept her composure and said, “Hans, I cooked a few dishes myself tonight. I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer, and I

at her. “What, are you complaining

can you unblock me? I get worried when I can’t

remained silent, too indifferent even to

over to the dining table and continued, “I didn’t know when you’d be back, so I just kept waiting…. I’ve reheated

anymore.

immediately laughed. There were shrimp scampi, pork tenderloin, sautéed celery, and

“What’s wrong, Hans?”

did well. Just don’t

to shrimp and didn’t eat pork or celery. The soup might have been passable,