Chapter 85

Sam regarded Hansel calmly. “I asked you, didn't I? Weren't you the one who let me pursue her? So why are you making a fuss now?”

Hansel remembered a previous group chat, and his face went white.

Miranda trembled violently, swaying back and forth. Paul caught her just in time. “I’ll take you home.”

Sam narrowed his eyes and stopped him. “Where are you taking her? Remember, you’re on Cooper land. You can’t just come and go as you please.”

Hansel’s realization was apparent in his furious glare at Paul.

Paul looked up calmly. His usually gentle gaze was now sharp and dangerous. “The organizer of the Neworld Hotel conference is Mr. Gregory Jefferson of Narssen Biotech. The conference is ending soon. He’s here, and I can have him here in two minutes.”

He continued, “If you don’t want this incident reported to the Cooper and Jefferson elders, you’ll know when to stop.”

In Jandersville, the Jeffersons rivaled both the Coopers and Johnsons in power and status. Paul had directly invoked both families' elders…

Sam hesitated. Hansel frowned. “The Jeffersons and Johnsons are partners. If this incident damages their relationship, you won’t be able to bear the consequences alone.”

Though Paul’s tone was neutral, the warning was clear to both Sam and Hansel.

Ignoring their reactions, Paul calmly said, “Move aside.”

Hansel’s expression was stormy, but he remained silent. Sam reluctantly stepped back, allowing Paul to leave with Miranda.

“Damn it!” Hansel swore, kicking a stone. He was furious.

Calvin and Zach exchanged glances, saying nothing.

Sam picked up his jacket and left. Hansel watched him go with a gloomy expression.

Ingrid approached and took his arm. “Hans…”

“Fuck off!”

Rain poured as they drove home. Raindrops streaked the car windows. The wind howled relentlessly.

Miranda stared out the window, feeling a gaping hole in her heart. She shivered violently.

Paul gently draped his jacket over her shoulders. Its woody scent reached her.

Her pent-up emotions overflowed. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Paul felt his chest tighten at her sobs. He asked the driver to pull over and raise the partition between the front and back seats, giving her privacy.

After a while, Miranda calmed down. Remembering the earlier events, she clenched her fists. “I’m sorry you had to see that…”

“Don’t take those words to heart,” Paul said seriously. “Other people’s judgments are often one-sided and prejudiced. Sometimes, they’re just releasing their own frustrations.

“Only those who spend time with you know what you’re really like. To me, you’re amazing.

“Don’t punish yourself for other people’s mistakes,” Paul said gently, looking at her with sincerity.

Miranda slowly stopped crying. Their eyes met.