When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0579 +25 BONUS At first glance, Miranda was surprised to see Hansel. This little restaurant near campus hadn't been his kind of place since the the pursued her. He'd only visit it occasionally back then.

But what left Miranda truly wide-eyed in disbelief was the woman Hansel had his arm around. It was Willow! Judging by the intimate way they stood together, they were likely a couple. She wondered when they had started dating.

It wasn't that Miranda was hung up on him or particularly invested in her ex's love life, but... well, being a normal human, it was hard not to feel a little curious about unexpected gossip.

Anyone else she knew standing in Hansel's place would've gotten the sreaction from her. After all, it was natural to feel a bit curious when something surprising unfolded right in front of you.

Willow followed Hansel's gaze. Upon spotting Miranda, she smiled brightly and led him over. “What a coincidence, Miranda! Didn't expect to run into you here." Miranda blinked. Were they that close? Why was she being overly friendly? Still, there was that old saying about never responding rudely to a friendly face. Miranda gave a small smile in return. "Hey " And... that was it.

Willow's smile faltered briefly before she continued, “Letintroduce you. This is my boyfriend, Hansel Johnson" She snuggled closer to him and gestured with a playful air. "Hansel, this is my classmate, Miranda Sutton." Miranda was puzzled. She thought to herself, "Did I ask who he was? Why is she givingan introduction?" How truly kind of her.

"Well... Willow," Miranda replied, "there are several empty tables over there." "In other words, you two could sit somewhere else instead of lingering around here," Miranda thought to herself.

Sam couldn't hold back and let out a laugh, Since he'd seen Hansel walk in with another woman on his arm, he'd been watching the scene with great amusement.

He'd originally planned to stay quiet and enjoy the show respectfully, but Miranda's straightforward comment had him cracking up.

Jack coughed. "Mimi, maybe you should be courteous and invite Mr. Johnson and his new girlfriend to join us Miranda's eyes twitched. "Are you sure, Jack?" They were already squeezed around a table for two, with an extra chair barely fitting three. He wanted to add two more people? Was he kidding? She wasn't sure why he'd say something so off-the-cuff.

Chapte (570 +25 BONUS Keeping her smile, Miranda turned to Willow. "Apologies, we don't have space to invite you to join us. Why not sit over there? They're all two-person tables." Willow said nothing in response.

Hansel then pulled Willow close by the waist, his tone calm as he said, "Let's go. We'll sit over there." "Alright," Willow replied, trying to keep her composure. But the warmth of his hand on her waist sent her heart racing uncontrollably.

Sam smirked. "Alright, let's keep eating. Where were we?" Jack reminded him, “Rebar specifications." "Right, rebar-it's a whole science with different manufacturers and specifications, Sam continued, and Miranda listened intently.

It was as though the sight of Hansel and Willow hadn't stirred her emotions at all. In fact, it really hadn't. They ate in peace, and it wasn't until Miranda reached the front desk to pay that she even remembered they were still there.

She saw Hansel with one arm wrapped around Willow, holding her white scarf with the other. They seemed like a picture perfect couple that drew envious stares, Hansel asked, "Do you have any bandaids?" Willow had worn a new pair of heels, and her heel was already raw and bleeding. As the front desk staff grabbed a bandaid, Hansel gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

Willow froze, feeling her heart skip a beat. "No, it's fine, she replied, though her voice trembled slightly. Hansel chuckled softly. "You're bleeding, don't pretend it's nothing. Next time, don't push through it. Tellwhen it hurts." "Alright." Willow stared into his affectionate gaze, wishing desperately that this moment was real "Here you go, sir." The receptionist handed him the bandaid. Hansel then knelt, carefully applying it to the back of Willow's heel as everyone looked on.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she watched him, nearly drowning in his tenderness.

But then, as Hansel turned away and faced Miranda with his back to m Willow, she saw his warmth instantly vanish. It was quickly replaced by a cold detachment. Willow snapped back to reality, her hands curling into fists as she forced herself to stay composed.

"Fancy meeting you again! You're finished too, huh?" Willow greeted them with a smile.

"Yeah," Miranda replied coolly.

Then, Jack took out his wallet to pay while Hansel also pulled out his cash. They finished one other, and both parties left the restaurant at nearly the stime. after the Linking her arm around Hansel's, Willow said softly, "Could you wait here for just a moment? I'm going to 20 Chapter 11570 grab something from the convenience store next door.

"Wantto go with you?" "No, no, just wait here for me." Hansel smiled warmly. "Alright."

Sam and Jack had gone to get the car from the nearby parking lot, so Miranda waited outside the NO ΟΜ lot, $9 restaurant. Just then, Hansel turned to her and said, "Didn't expect to see you here."