“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for days. Have you really stopped caring about me?” Evelyn asked in one breath. The urgency in her voice escalated with each inquiry.

Hansel replied calmly. “I’m on a business trip. I’m busy and can’t answer the phone.”

“Come home now. I mean right now! If you don’t come home, you can forget I’m your mother.”

Upon hearing the urgency in her voice, he didn’t press for more details. He hung up and headed straight for the Johnson estate. As he reached the door, he heard a vase hitting the floor.

Hansel paused for a moment before stepping inside. “Mom, I’m home.”

Evelyn heard his voice and rushed out. She scolded, “Who are you hanging out with? Ingrid is a bitch, and her family members act like gangsters, especially her mother, who is simply a shrew. She’s nothing but a loud, foul-mouthed hag.

“I knew that Ingrid was a bad seed, but you insisted on having her and got her pregnant. Now she has a miscarriage, and she’s blaming us for everything.”

“Wait,” Hansel interrupted. “Ingrid has a miscarriage?”

“Yeah. You aren’t aware of this?” Even though Evelyn knew her son was a scumbag, she couldn’t hide her shock.

He stood frozen for a moment, but then a cold smile crept onto his face. That child shouldn’t have been born anyway, so this was for the best.

Evelyn took a deep breath. “Today, her mother found me at the tea party and made a scene. By now, everyone in our social circle has probably heard about it. If your father finds out…”

The thought of Richard’s emotionless face sent a shiver down her spine. After more than 30 years of marriage, her fear of him still overshadowed any love she felt.

“I don’t want to run into anyone associated with Ingrid ever again. You caused this mess, so you better clean it up.”

Even after three showers, Evelyn still felt unclean, as if that spit still clung to her. The thought made her feel utterly repulsed.

Compared to the chaos in the Johnson estate, Miranda’s life was a picture of tranquility.

She followed a steady routine of traveling to and from work daily. Most of her time was spent in the laboratory, immersed in data and papers. She loved it and found great satisfaction in her work.

Occasionally, she would cook a big meal and invite Winter to join her. After dinner, they would take a walk, pick up some fruit beer, and head home to binge-watch shows while chatting.

When they grew tired, they would lie on the bed, either scrolling through their phones or whispering secrets to each other.

“Mimi,” Winter said with a mysterious look in her eyes. “I found it.”

“Found what?” Miranda grabbed a pillow to support her back and instantly felt more comfortable.

“A business partner.”

Miranda was momentarily taken aback. Five seconds later, her eyes widened in surprise. “You mean… a boyfriend?”

“It’s fake!”

“Who is it? Do I know him?” Miranda asked.

Winter’s eyes flickered. “You should recognize…”

Suddenly, her phone rang. She answered with an exasperated sigh. “Yeah, I know. You’re so annoying.”

After hanging up, Winter sat up and put on her jacket. “Sorry, Mimi. Something came up. I can’t accompany you tonight.”

“Okay. Drive safely,” Miranda replied.

“Yeah, I will.”

Winter spotted the flashy Maserati parked at the curb as she stepped out of the alley.

Zach tossed his cigarette aside, crushing the embers underfoot as he strode toward her. “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for 15 minutes.”