When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0673

Next to Willow was Hank, who was grinning like a puppy and holding a thermos. Meanwhile, Theodore stood behind him, weighed down with bags of all sizes

Miranda then quickly looked away as she and Willow weren’t exactly close.

“Hey, Miranda!” Madison waved from a distance, jogging over with a large, bulging backpack that looked heavy. She had packed sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, water, and, of course, plenty of snacks.

“I brought tons of stuff! We’ll share later, okay?” Madison said cheerfully.

“Sure,” Miranda replied.

“Wait, where’s Sebastian? He’s not here yet?” Madison asked, slightly worried after sprinting over and arriving five minutes early.

Sebastian, who had arrived earlier, said dryly from right behind her. “What makes you so confident I’d show up later than you?”

Madison made a face. “So what if you beat me by two minutes? I just overslept a bit. But… why are your bags so small?”

Sebastian and Miranda both had modest–sized backpacks, and neither seemed heavy.

National Botanical Gardens are pretty well–equipped, so I only brought the essentials, Miranda explained while Sebastian nodded

her oversized backpack, speechless. She realized she was the only one

them up to board the bus. Their destination was a botanical garden about 60 miles away,

sat together, while Sebastian took the row behind them. Soon after they started, they hit a stretch of winding mountain road. With no cell signal,

around them, exchanging gossip and stories. Meanwhile, Miranda, with nothing

mountain peaks, still wrapped in early winter fog that drifted like a delicate veil around the slopes. Though

mountains until, by 11:00 am, the bus

Miranda’s gaz Gardens.

which were A, B, C, and D. Each section was further divided into smaller plots, with different

and drop off their belongings. They had two days and one night to complete the assignment, with the final deadline set for 5:00

1/2

10 specific plant specimens, accounting for 80% of the final grade. Rare plant specimens, if found, would earn

task would secure a solid grade, while rare finds would be a bonus. In

settled in, Miranda, Madison, and Sebastian

head to first? Madison

their assigned list of 10