Sam’s gaze landed on Lionel briefly and then shifted subtly toward Miranda. Did these two…

“Dad, do you know him?” Miranda asked in surprise as she walked over.

Dad?

Sam’s lips curled slightly. He had been in Lumberville on a business trip for the past three days and was set to return today. However, his flight was canceled due to the poor weather conditions, so he had his secretary book a bullet train for him in the morning instead. He hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise!

Lionel answered, “This young man was the one who helped me catch the thief just now. He has really good reflexes!”

Miranda was stunned for a moment before responding, “Thank you, Mr. Cooper.”

Sam replied, “Miranda, there’s no need to be so formal. Anyone else would have done the same in that situation and stepped up to help without hesitation.”

Mindy was surprised. “Do you two know each other?”

“Yes,” Miranda and Sam answered at the same time.

As for how they knew each other… This was clearly not the right time to explain. Mindy did not press further.

Lionel asked, “Sam, where are you headed?”

Sam replied truthfully, “I’m on my way to Elgerson City.”

“What a coincidence! We’re going to Elgerson too. Which train are you on?”

Instead of answering, Sam responded with a question, “Which one are you on?”

When Lionel told him the train number, Sam’s lips curled into a smile. “Coincidentally, I’m on the same train.”

“Great! We can travel together!”

“Yeah.” Lionel pulled Sam down enthusiastically to sit together. While they were chatting, Sam took out his phone discreetly and quickly changed his train ticket in a few taps. Coincidences could always be arranged.

Soon, the train marshal arrived to check on the situation with Lionel. He explained that he received his wallet and phone. After that, Lionel was asked by the marshal to stop by the duty office to sign some papers since their officers had been dispatched. Naturally, Lionel agreed to cooperate fully.

Mindy accompanied him to stretch her legs after sitting for a long time. Now, only Miranda and Sam remained in their seats.

Even though there were other people around, it felt as though Miranda and Sam were alone with Mindy and Lionel gone.

Sam said in an aggrieved tone, “Mimi, you still called me Mr. Cooper in front of your parents earlier.”

Miranda blinked innocently. “What else should I call you? Haven’t I always called you Mr. Cooper?”

“That sounds way too formal. Besides, I’m still young. If you call me Mr. Cooper all the time, it might give them a wrong impression of me.”

“I’m not sure if they have the wrong impression, but I’m pretty sure that you have no need to worry about it.”

Sam was at a loss for words.

“Is it that hard to have more affection for me?” he asked.

Miranda nodded solemnly. “Yes, I don’t have the habit of being affectionate with random people, unless we’re really close like family.”

Someone like Jack, for example. Being affectionate with him came naturally to her.

Sam quickly waved his hand. “Then forget it. Mr. Cooper is fine.”

It was better than being like family to her….

Suddenly, he seemed to have remembered something. Sam reached into his bag and pulled out a book. However, Miranda gasped before he could say anything. “You bought it?”

Indeed, the book in Sam’s hand was the limited edition copy she hadn’t finished reading at the private bookstore on West Street!

Sam raised an eyebrow. “I’m friends with the owner. After a lot of persuasion, he finally agreed to give it to me.”

So, it was just given to him like that. He didn’t even have to purchase the book…

Miranda suddenly felt a little envious.

“Here, take it,” he said.

“Huh?” Miranda was momentarily confused. Then, she waved it away after regaining her senses. “The owner gave it to you as a gift. I can’t accept this…”

Sam replied, “I asked him for it with the intention of giving it to you.”

Why would he need a technical book like this otherwise? He couldn’t even understand it.