Chapter 66

Miranda raised her head and found Paul's chin almost touching her forehead. Had she not grabbed his arm, her face would have ended up against his chest.

Miranda snapped out of her reverie and took a few steps back. Paul swallowed subtly and lowered his hands. "It's easy to trip in heels," he said. "Flat shoes are better and safer."

Miranda chuckled. "Thank you," she replied.

Winter, who had been waiting outside, called out, hearing sounds from the staircase. "Mimi? Is that you?"

Miranda glanced in her direction. "I need to go. See you later."

Paul hummed in response, clenching and unclenching his fists. As he climbed the stairs, he heard Winter and Miranda chatting below.

"What took you so long?" "Something came up." "Did you see Paul?"

Winter only knew Paul was in the area; she didn't know he and Miranda were neighbors. Miranda hummed in response—a calm, natural reaction that prevented Winter from pursuing the topic. They began discussing dinner, eventually settling on a restaurant serving exotic cuisine.

During the meal, Winter recounted her recent blind dates. "All of them were so frivolous and snobbish! I hope someone makes all those lazy, rich kids disappear!"

Known for her boldness and free spirit, her disastrous blind dates had been a source of amusement for their circle. Worse, the men had been incredibly rude and uncourteous, expecting obedience and a focus on homemaking should they marry her.

Winter was both infuriated and amused by their incompetence and apparent belief that everyone should be idle like them. "I got so mad, I exposed their secrets," she snorted. Being in the same social circle made it easy to uncover dirt.

Miranda wasn't surprised. Winter had always been impulsive and quick-tempered. "No wonder there's been so much scandalous news lately," she said, referring to the recent reports of affairs and tax evasion among prominent families—news even busy Miranda had heard.

"It's their fault for being rude and unreasonable," Winter sighed. "Our family is one of the most prestigious here, and even with an elder cousin, my parents nag me to marry. It's so annoying! And it's not just me; my aunt is worried about Paul's love life and constantly tries to get him to consider marriage."

Miranda found it hard to imagine Paul being nagged about marriage.

"Anyway, Paul's hardly home, so my aunt can't do anything," Winter shrugged. "But I'm curious to meet the woman he chooses. He's never been in a relationship."

Miranda's thoughts returned to their encounter on the stairs. Though Paul seemed distant, he was caring, gentle, and warm. She couldn't help but feel that the woman who captured his attention must be wonderful.

Time flew. December arrived—the date of the first round of postgraduate admission exams. The northern winter was cold and humid. A week-old snow forecast hadn't materialized until now, with only scattered sleet showers the previous evening. The next morning, the roads were icy.

On exam day, Miranda donned a thick jacket, scarf, gloves, and snow boots before leaving her apartment.

(The "Today's Bonus Offer" is unrelated and should be removed.)