Chapter 182

Ingrid trembled. Hansel's cold attitude felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head. She never expected such heartlessness; he wouldn't even give her a chance to explain.

She couldn't accept this.

"I know I was wrong, dear, but the child is innocent! Look, this is the ultrasound report. The baby already has a heartbeat. Can you really bear to let him grow up without a father?"

Hansel's gaze fell on the blurry black-and-white ultrasound report trembling in Ingrid's hand. The image was too indistinct to make out anything.

He smiled coldly and said indifferently, "That's why I told you to get rid of it. A child who grows up without a father might as well not exist."

He didn't even acknowledge the child as his.

After saying this, Hansel turned and walked upstairs, seemingly unwilling to listen further.

Ingrid stared at his retreating back, clenching her fists in anger and frustration. Did she deserve what felt like a death sentence for trying to protect her relationship? What had she done wrong?

This was all Miranda's fault. If Miranda hadn't repeatedly and deliberately seduced Hansel, he wouldn't have refused to give her up, and Ingrid wouldn't have resorted to such extremes.

Thinking this, Ingrid gritted her teeth in hatred. Her beautiful face contorted into a vicious expression.

No, she couldn't just wait. A flash of inspiration struck her—maybe there was another way.

On Saturday, Miranda received a call from the police station. She listened calmly to the slightly apologetic voice on the other end. She'd anticipated the outcome; she'd only acted to clear her conscience. The rest she'd left to fate.

After hanging up, her phone lit up with a notification: another short video. The rumor post on the forum had been deleted by administrators as the situation escalated. The school had traced the IP address to an out-of-town location, but the account was deactivated before they could identify the user—clearly a premeditated act.

Although they didn't find the person responsible, it was noteworthy that Miranda had already gained a reputation before even starting school. Someone had uploaded a photo of her—just a side profile—and she'd been voted Bedford College's campus belle.

Embarrassed, Miranda turned off her phone, intending to work on her thesis. Just then, the doorbell rang. Remembering her takeout order, she opened the door without hesitation.

To her surprise, Hansel stood at the entrance. She tried to close the door, but Hansel braced himself against the frame, forcing it slightly open. "Mimi, don't close the door. Just listen—I know everything about what happened in the Marvedis. I came to apologize."

Fearing she'd shut him out, Hansel rushed on. "She deliberately saved me to make me feel guilty, blinding me to her true nature. It was my fault. I've broken up with her, and I have nothing to do with her anymore."

He stared at her pleadingly. "Can we start over? I truly can't live without you."

During their separation, he'd realized his true feelings; he only ever wanted Miranda. He couldn't bear to lose her, and he couldn't forget their shared memories.

Miranda watched the arrogant man swallow his pride, humbling himself before her repeatedly. In the past, she would have been overjoyed, throwing herself into his arms.