Chapter 13

Paul remained silent. To him, food was merely fuel. Its taste was irrelevant. "I'm done washing the vegetables," he announced.

Miranda glanced at them. The washed red bell peppers and lettuce were neatly arranged. It was clear Paul was meticulous.

"What are you smiling at?" Paul asked, puzzled.

Miranda cleared her throat. "Nothing. You can leave the rest to me."

"Sure," Paul replied, nodding and wiping his hands dry.

Miranda prepared several mild dishes—all Christine's favorites and suitable for her condition.

"To think you still remember" Christine sighed.

After lunch, Miranda began clearing the table, assisted by Paul.

In the yellowish light, he seemed taller. From Miranda's perspective, his well-defined profile resembled ancient Roman statues, with sharp jawlines.

Christine stood by the kitchen door. "Mimi, how did you meet Paul?"

Paul was Christine's prized student; Miranda was her favorite. Christine had intended to introduce them but hadn't expected them to meet beforehand.

Suddenly, a voice called from the doorway, "Dr. Young, you have a visitor!"

Christine went to the living room.

Tina rose from the couch, smiling. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Young. I'm Tina Johnson. I visited you at the hospital a while ago regarding this year's postgraduate program recruitment."

Christine nodded. "I remember you. Please have a seat."

Tina's smile widened. "I heard you're still recovering, so I brought you some supplements."

Christine glanced silently at the gift basket on the end table—specialty tea, gourmet honey, saffron, and more. Her smile faltered.

Tina continued, "About the postgraduate program—"

Christine interrupted. "Thank you. I appreciate your kind gesture, but please keep the supplements. Regarding the postgraduate program, I recruit students every year. The competition is fierce. Your success depends on your own abilities."

Tina was stunned. This wasn't what Christine had said at the hospital. Christine had then suggested Tina had a chance and encouraged her. But now…

"Dr. Young, I—"

"Apologies, Ms. Johnson, but I have guests. I won't keep you any longer. I'll have Wilson help you take the gift basket to your car."

Christine's dismissal was clear.

Tina, feeling dejected, left. She accidentally bumped into someone.

"Miranda?" she exclaimed. "W-Why are you here?"

Miranda wore a simple white t-shirt and an apron, carrying a black garbage bag.

Surprised to see Tina, Miranda quickly smiled and said, "What a coincidence."

She didn't dislike Tina. Tina was proud and somewhat fastidious, like many young women from affluent families, but not excessively arrogant. She was well-mannered.

However, their relationship was superficial. Miranda would never be as close to Tina as she was to Winter.

"You…" Tina assessed her. "Why are you working as hired help now? Hasn't Hansel given you any allowance?"

Miranda was speechless.

"Oh my gosh! How low! This is unacceptable…" Tina exclaimed, marching out, her heels clicking.

She pulled out her phone. It wasn't that she thought Miranda was being treated unfairly; Miranda deserved it for her fawning over Hansel. Tina found Hansel's behavior embarrassing—like leaving a restaurant without tipping. She felt humiliated.

Reaching Hansel, Tina prepared to scold him. "Hello, Hansel! I have to say, you—"

The passage has been cleaned up for grammar, punctuation, and style. The abrupt ending suggests there may be more to the story.