Chapter 8

Hansel froze, subconsciously pulling his arm from Ingrid’s grasp.

Caught off guard, Ingrid frowned, following his gaze to Miranda, standing nearby.

Hansel wrinkled his brow. "Did you invite Miranda?" he asked Sam.

"I did. We're friends, after all," Sam replied with a harmless smile.

"Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Sam shrugged. "I was busy and forgot. It's fine even if I didn't tell you, right?"

Meanwhile, Miranda had also seen Hansel, but she averted her gaze. Her plan had been to wish Sam a happy birthday and leave; her research kept her busy, and she couldn't waste time at parties.

She walked up to Sam, handing him a gift. "Happy birthday. I hope you have a great year. It's nothing expensive, but I hope you like it."

Sam took it, chuckling. "Thank you."

As the birthday boy and star of the party, he'd already been toasted several times and was slightly intoxicated.

A waiter passed, and Sam took a glass of red wine. "Since today's a happy day, let's drink to that! I'll have one first." He gulped it down. Miranda, naturally, couldn't refuse. After finishing her glass, she glanced at the clock and told Sam she was leaving.

Sam raised an eyebrow. "It's still early, the party's just started. Are you sure?"

Seeing her conflicted expression, he suggested, "Stay a little longer. You can leave after we cut the cake."

"Alright," Miranda agreed.

The wine, combined with the manor's overly warm heating, made the room feel stuffy. While Sam talked to other guests, she asked a waiter for directions to the door, exiting through the arched entrance into the garden.

Hansel watched Miranda leave, his expression darkening. She hadn't given him a proper look earlier, and now she was leaving without a glance. He wanted to follow, but Ingrid grabbed his hand. "Dear, I suddenly don't feel well. Could you help me find somewhere to rest?" she asked weakly, leaning against his arm.

In that instant, Miranda disappeared.

Hansel retracted his gaze. "Let's go then," he said, slightly irritated.

The path from the living room to the garden was short, lined with greenery. The greenhouse overflowed with flowers, including rare species Miranda had only seen in magazines—expensive, high-maintenance plants. This garden was practically filled with them.

The scent of wood eased the heaviness in her chest. As she started to walk, warm arms encircled her from behind, a man's alcohol-tinged breath on her neck. Thinking it was Hansel, she tried to escape, but then heard him chuckle.

She froze, her eyes widening in shock. It was Sam.

His hands rested on her waist, their unfamiliar heat raising goosebumps on her skin. She immediately broke free, taking several steps back.

"Y-you're drunk. I'm not one of your women."

Sam looked at her alarmed expression and wide, startled eyes.

(The final "#25 BONUS" and "#26 BONUS" appear to be unrelated annotations and should be removed or clarified separately.)