When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0324

Paul, Miranda, and Winter stepped out of the restaurant.

“Paul, you’re so popular. You were surrounded by a bunch of seniors, just like fans do around their favorite idol,” Winter remarked.

“Idol?”

“Oh, it means celebrity,” she replied.

Paul chuckled. “It’s just for practical reasons. I’m not a celebrity, so linking me to them doesn’t make sense.”

Winter wrinkled her nose. “Have you been drinking? Did you drive here?”

“Just a little. I didn’t drive.”

She said, “Great. Let’s get in the car. I’ll send you and Mimi home.”

Winter drove her car to the alley entrance but couldn’t go any further. So, Miranda and Paul exited the vehicle and walked in together.

The moon was bright, and a gentle breeze brushed through the night. In the quiet alley, the soft meow of a cat occasionally broke the silence.

Paul stepped on a bag of trash and swayed slightly from the effect of the alcohol he had earlier.

okay?” Miranda

I might have had a few too many tonight.” Since Paul was worried that the smell of alcohol on him might

across as particularly genuine.

got home drunk. But he

This made her realize how different people

and Zach. They lived lives of

a reliable and down–to–earth, just an

different he was. Despite being the center of attention and seemingly unreachable, he was

brought arrogance, but Paul shattered that belief. He had every reason to be carefree and reckless,

asked curiously, “Do researchers also

mutual exchanges,” Paul said. “But how do we engage? Alcohol often serves as a social icebreaker, though coffee, books, art, and

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0324

they

holidays. Parents take their kids to visit relatives, and relatives visit you.

spending time together, they don’t have to revolve around alcohol. Instead, activities like having tea, fishing,

feel less socializing, right? If you stick with that first definition,

heard that perspective, and she couldn’t resist asking, “So, does tonight’s meal count as socializing for

smiled faintly. “In a way, yes and