Chapter 109

Miranda quickly glanced at the business card. It was Simon Chaffey—Senior Partner at Summit Legal Group and the Coopers' top attorney. She bit her lip, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and thanked him again.

The Coopers had the best legal team in the country, and their help had saved her from a lot of unnecessary trouble. It was more than money could solve.

Sam turned to her, his eyes warm but with a hint of seriousness. “I’m no saint, and not even a particularly good person. I’m only helping because it’s you who needs it.”

Feeling the night breeze, Miranda looked away from him and gazed at the sea. “What was that you said? I didn’t quite hear you.”

Sam laughed. “Oh, you didn’t hear me? No problem, I can repeat it. Want to hear it?”

Miranda was speechless, thinking he might as well have kept it to himself.

Beneath the same night sky, in an overwater villa resort, Ingrid meticulously applied a face mask while gazing into the mirror. She understood that quality came with a price.

Thanks to Hansel’s supplementary card, the premium face masks and serums she once could only dream of were now within her reach. She could use the card as often as she pleased without him ever raising an eyebrow. Her skin had noticeably improved since she began using these top-of-the-line products.

Hansel lounged on the couch, growing increasingly annoyed as Ingrid’s phone continued to buzz. “Ingy, your phone won’t stop ringing.”

“Oh, just hang it up for me, will you? It’s probably that student advisor calling again. I’m so over it! It’s the same thing every single day!”

“Student advisor?”

“Yeah, I put in my leave request before I left, but do they really have to keep calling me about it?” She rolled her eyes in frustration.

“So, did your advisor actually approve the leave?” Hansel asked.

“Probably? It’s not a big deal if they didn’t. I’m already overseas. Lots of people are doing it, so it’s not a problem.”

Hansel was speechless. He said, “I’m heading out for a walk. You carry on with your stuff.”

“Hey, hold on a second. I’ll be done soon. Just wait a little longer—” But all Ingrid got was the sight of Hansel walking away.

Hansel’s thoughts wandered back to Miranda. They seldom had a chance for a proper date back in college, and when they did manage one, Miranda’s phone was constantly ringing. It was always some Dr. Young.

A call here and there was understandable, but the professor’s calls became relentless. First, it was a data issue, then a citation problem. Hansel grew increasingly frustrated, but Miranda never missed a call, always soothing him. She always answered with courtesy and respect.

“Aren’t you annoyed by this?” Hansel asked, clearly exasperated.

She seemed taken aback. “Why would I be? It’s my responsibility, and the professor is just reminding me. Why would that annoy me?”

Miranda was always remarkably composed. Even during their arguments, she would be the first to reach out and work toward a resolution without causing a fuss.

Sometimes, Hansel thought she was so calm it seemed almost unnatural. Her rational nature made it hard for him to see her true feelings for him.

He recalled a saying he’d heard: a woman who didn’t express her emotions toward a man couldn’t genuinely love him.

But Ingrid was different. Hansel could easily influence her feelings. A single look, a minor gesture, or a simple word from him could make her anxious and second-guess everything.

She tailored her actions to his feelings, dutifully meeting his demands and accommodating him without objection.

Thus, after six years of a considerate and respectful relationship with Miranda, Hansel found himself instantly captivated by Ingrid, mesmerized by the way her eyes shone with admiration and affection for him.