When fate plays its hand
209

Chapter 0209

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Hansel finally realized that Ingrid was far more cunning than he had imagined. He used to think she was pure, sweet, and innocent, but in reality, it was the opposite.

He felt like a fool, deceived and manipulated by her schemes. Not to mention, it cost him… Miranda.

If it wasn’t for her, how could things between him and Miranda fall apart like this?

Thinking about it filled him with even more disgust; he didn’t want to step into any place where Ingrid was present. Thus, he had been staying at the office for several days, avoiding his home.

Meanwhile, Ingrid was too afraid to call him directly, so she kept reaching out through Evelyn to urge him to come back.

Pressured by his mother, Hansel reluctantly returned to the mansion, but he refused to have any more. involvement beyond that.

When he got back to the mansion, it was already 8:00 pm. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Ingrid waiting there, reaching out to take his coat.

Hansel sidestepped her and walked straight past, heading toward the living room. Ingrid’s hands froze midair, and she bit her lip in frustration.

She was wearing a light–colored, loose–knit dress, with her long hair draped over her chest. Her outfit gave her a gentle and appealing look.

But Hansel ignored her completely, making a beeline for Evelyn. “You wanted me to come back, so I did,” he said flatly before turning to head upstairs.

“Stop right there.”

Hansel paused and said with an indifferent tone, “I’m tired. I need to rest.”

Evelyn frowned, clearly displeased with his dismissive attitude. “Come with me. I have something to discuss with you.”

Her firm demeanor made Hansel frown, but he eventually followed her. Once in the study, Hansel sat down and poured himself a glass of water, sipping slowly and paying no mind to Evelyn’s displeased expression.

“The baby is yours; can’t you show a little concern?” Evelyn snapped, casting a sharp glance his knew her son’s personality all too well.

way. She

He had a perfect facade that deceived others, but at his core, he was as cold as ice. He was someone who’d wish a long life unto his beloved and an instant death unto his foe.

“When did I ever say I wanted this baby? Wasn’t it you who forced it on me?” Hansel raised his eyebrows.

His eyes were filled with obvious disdain, and his tone was laced with bitterness. Evelyn understood his resentment and frustration, but there was no way she would give up her grandchild.

“It doesn’t matter what you think. The baby in Ingrid’s belly carries the Johnson family’s blood. Whether I

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Chapter 0209

knew about it or not before doesn’t matter. Now that I know, the baby must be born safe and sound” Evelyn declared firmly.

Hansel’s expression darkened; the whole situation simply repulsed him. “And after the baby is born? You don’t actually expect me to marry her, do you?”

“I only care about the baby. Whether you marry her or not is up to you,” Evelyn said coolly.

Hansel paused for a moment. “It’s not impossible, but I have a condition.”

“What condition?”

“After the baby is born, Ingrid must get as far away from me as possible. And you can’t interfere with me being with Miranda anymore.”

Evelyn found her son’s stubbornness baffling, but she agreed nonetheless.

She wasn’t particularly fond of Miranda either. However, she was still better than Ingrid–at least Miranda had graduated from a prestigious university and was now accepted into a graduate program.

Plus, she had good taste and was generous.

Ingrid, on the other hand, was all show and no substance. She had a mediocre education, poor manners, a barely passable demeanor, and questionable taste.

When Hansel left the study, he felt a lot more at ease. He grabbed his coat, ignored Ingrid’s pitiful attempts to make him stay, and strode out the door.

At that moment, he was desperate to see Miranda. He wanted to tell her that all the obstacles standing between them had been cleared. From now on, the path ahead would be wide open for them.

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