Chapter 32

Hansel was enjoying a candlelit dinner with Ingrid at an upscale restaurant when he saw his messages. His face fell.

Ingrid noticed the sudden change in his expression. “What’s wrong?” she asked cautiously.

Biting back his anger, Hansel remained silent. He unlocked his phone and typed a concise reply: "What does it have to do with me?"

Sam smiled as he read the chat. He replied thoughtfully, "It seems you and Miranda are over for good this time."

Hansel gritted his teeth, but his answer sounded casual. "Yes. Any thoughts on that?"

Sam: "No, I wouldn't dare." He added a white flag emoji.

Sam: "So, if someone wanted to pursue Miranda, you wouldn't mind, I guess?"

Zach interjected, "What? Do you want to pursue her?"

Sam's gaze dimmed. He replied with a GIF of someone nodding.

Calvin: "Hahaha"

Zach: "You're really something."

No one really believed him. Hansel, seeing the GIF, didn't take it seriously either. He replied, "Sure, go ahead."

After receiving his desired response, Sam put away his phone. He wondered if Hansel would regret this later.

A text message appeared: "Dear, thanks for giving me the best birthday celebration ever."

At 9:00 p.m., Hansel dropped Ingrid off at her college dorm. She held his hand, reluctant to let go. "I wish I didn't have to leave your side," she said with a grin, revealing her canine teeth. Leaning close, she teased him with a pout. "How are you so calm? Won't you miss me?"

Ingrid's gaze was clear, her smile sweet. She spoke in a cutesy voice that tugged at his heartstrings.

Hansel blinked. Gazing at her upturned face, he stroked her head. "You have class tomorrow. After a tiring day, you should rest."

Ingrid pursed her lips, a flash of disappointment in her eyes. Finally, she agreed obediently. "Alright. Well, I'll be heading in now."

This farewell took half an hour.

After leaving the National University of Technology, Hansel was supposed to turn left to go home. Suddenly, Sam's photo of Miranda's back popped into his mind. As if possessed, he turned right instead.

It began to drizzle. Raindrops beaded on the windshield, blurring the red and green lights into a colorful smear.

In the rearview mirror, he saw a checkered sheep's wool blanket. Ingrid must have left it in the backseat.

Hansel remembered Miranda's complaints about him setting the car temperature too low. After her complaints were ignored, she'd dragged him to the mall and bought a light brown checkered blanket. Since their breakup, it had remained unused and neatly folded—until today.

A sudden honk broke his reverie. The light had turned green. He accelerated.

Arriving at the bar, he gave his keys to the valet and easily made his way to the first floor—a regular, the manager immediately approached him.

"Where's Sam?"

"Mr. Cooper and the others are in the private room on the second floor."

Ignoring the manager, Hansel headed upstairs.

Inside the private room, the group was quite intoxicated, swaying and slurring their words.

When Hansel entered, he scanned the room. Miranda wasn't there, and Sam was relatively sober.

"What are you doing here?" Sam asked, shocked. "Weren't you on a date with your girlfriend?"

"I just dropped her off," Hansel replied indifferently, taking a seat.

(The final two lines "+15 AONUS" and "BIG SALE 3500 bonus free fou you" appear to be unrelated and were removed.)