Chapter 208

Hansel's face was a mask of barely contained irritation and impatience. He glanced at the time—it was only 9:00 PM. Already, four missed calls from home. Three were from his mother; the last from Ingrid. Ingrid, sensing he wouldn't answer, had called only once. She seemed considerate, but Hansel felt annoyed. The thought of a new person in his villa only exacerbated his frustration.

Calvin checked his watch. "It's still early, isn't it? Already heading out?"

Hansel didn't reply, but Calvin sensed his barely suppressed anger. He didn't press. "My driver's downstairs. I'll have him take you home."

"Thanks."

"No need for that," Calvin said, setting down his glass. "Let me walk you out."

Hansel waved him off. "No need. You guys keep having fun."

Zach watched Hansel leave and chuckled. "Some people hunt geese and get pecked in the eye," he gloated. "Ingrid sure knows her stuff, huh? Look what she's done to him."

Calvin sighed. "Maybe keep it to yourself, Zach. He's probably having a rough time."

"I'd be having a rough time too," Zach said, still smirking. "He threw away a perfectly good girlfriend for some trash, and now he's choking on his decision. I heard Miranda got into Bedford College for her postgraduate studies and has completely moved on. We all bet on how long this Miranda drama would last, but she's dead serious about ending things and focusing on her life. Tsk, tsk…"

Zach had witnessed countless fights and reconciliations between Hansel and Miranda over the years, never imagining their split would be permanent. Miranda had endured so much for six years; it seemed inevitable they'd marry, with Miranda relentless in pursuit of her goal. Honestly, Zach never respected women like Miranda. He considered her spineless, a dog returning at Hansel's slightest call. Now, though, she wasn't a dog—she was a wolf in disguise. She'd manipulated two men, turning friends into bitter enemies who now avoided each other like the plague.

Zach had to admit, Miranda was something else. "Call Sam," he suggested. "Just tell him Hansel's already left."

Calvin shook his head. "If you want to call, do it yourself. If Hansel suddenly returns and they bump into each other, it'll be like a volcano erupting with a tsunami and earthquake. I'm not risking that."

Chapter 2011

"You're such a wuss!" Zach pulled out his phone and dialed. "Hey, Sam, come out and join us."

Sam's voice was low. "Nah."

"Hansel just left. Don't worry, you won't run into him."

"That's not why."

Zach was puzzled. "Then why?"

Sam replied, "No more clubbing, no staying out late, no unnecessary drinking—basic decent guy, you know?"

Zach was baffled. "What? Are you possessed or something?"

Sam said, "I've turned over a new leaf."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, no joke. Because of Miranda?"

"Yeah."

After getting into the car, Hansel closed his eyes and tiredly rubbed his temples. The car's air conditioning felt too warm, making it hard to breathe, so he rolled down the window. Light and shadow flickered across his face as the cold wind rushed in, but even that couldn't quell the restlessness gnawing at him.

Evelyn refused to let him break up with Ingrid. A week ago, she hired two maids specifically to care for Ingrid, moving her into the villa to rest during her pregnancy. This was partly to look after Ingrid, partly to keep an eye on Hansel. When Hansel learned Ingrid had gone to see Evelyn, his mood soured immediately. They'd agreed she'd take the money, get an abortion, and cut all ties. But she'd changed her mind and gone straight to his mother, maneuvering herself into his villa instead.