Independence

“Perhaps not. I have other matters to attend to. Let’s meet up some other time,” Miranda replied.

She was on friendly terms with Calvin. Although she turned down the offer, she did so with a smile and didn’t embarrass him.

Calvin noticed she held a jewelry box for a haute couture accessory. It seemed she wasn’t making up an excuse when she said she had other things to take care of.

He agreed. Just as he was about to say something else, Miranda walked past Hansel and left. As she walked away, she stared right ahead and didn’t even spare Hansel a glance.

Calvin could sense the tension in the air. Peeking at Hansel’s expression, he awkwardly tried to smooth things over. “Uh, Hans, Miranda probably didn’t see you. Don’t take it to heart.

The moment he said that, Hansel’s expression became even more sullen.

Calvin cleared his throat and dared not say anything else. However, he thought Miranda was truly firm this time.

“Sir, are you still getting an accessory?”

Hansel looked up with a cold gaze. “Of course, I am. Why not? Get me the most expensive accessory in the store.”

Miranda didn’t care about him, but someone else would!

The business banquet was held in a mansion on Nimbus Street. When Miranda arrived, many guests were already there.

Some of them recognized her and looked at her thoughtfully.

Hansel used to frequently bring her along to such events. Over time, people in such circles had gotten to know who she was.

that cho wae Hansol’s

girlfriend. She was someone who’d gone from rags to riches

However, word had gotten out that Hansel and Miranda had already broken up Judging from her lone presence in the banquet, they figured the rumors

must be tive

So, they stared at Miranda meaningfully, She’d been one step away from riches, now, would she have to return to where she’d come from?

Her six years of effort had been in vain, and she’d even been abandoned. Wasn’t that the juiciest gossip ever?

Miranda ignored all the looks and made her way to Winter. She handed the latter the accessory personally.

“Mimi, why don’t you stay and enjoy the night? The dishes are quite tasty tonight.”

“I’ll pass. Go easy on alcohol, and be careful on your way back.”

“Okay.” Winter didn’t persuade her to stay. She knew what the onlookers were thinking about. Miranda would only feel humiliated if she stayed. “I heard you, you nag! I’ll get Leo to take you back.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Miranda hummed in agreement and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, murmurs erupted in the crowd.

“Did you see her? How dare she turn up? She’s really thick–skinned!”

“She’s been with Hansel for six years. That must count for something, right?”

“How hilarious. Did you see what she’s wearing? Even our housekeeper wears nicer clothes than that.”

“Everyone knows she’s been obediently doing the chores for Hansel. It’s not wrong to call her a housekeeper.”

“Ms. Sutton…” Winter’s assistant, Leo Webb, peeked at Miranda.

As a man, he found those distasteful words intolerable. Still, Miranda was as

cool as a cucumber about it.

“Let’s go,” she merely said.

She’d expected them to talk about her behind her back. When she’d first decided to break up with Hansel, she’d already seen this coming.

Leo said, “Please wait, Ms. Sutton. I’ll get the car.”

“Sure.” Miranda stood outside the mansion and looked up at the sky.

The sun was setting, and the breeze was gentle. At that moment, a low but slightly drunk voice rang out. “Miranda?”

Turning around, she met that person’s eyes. “What a coincidence.”

Micah Lawson was twirling the wine in the glass in his hands. There was a subtle look of surprise in his profound gaze.

“It’s been a long time. Fancy meeting you here. Let me see how long it’s been since we last met… It must’ve been your graduation. It’s a pity Hansel chased me off, and I couldn’t even give you the bouquet.”

Miranda felt awkward. Back then, Micah and Hansel had tried to court her at the same time. They were both from wealthy families and had dashing looks, but both were extreme in their ways.