When fate plays its hand
hand 551

Chapter 0551

Willow understood that agreeing would mean entering a contractual relationship with Hansel. It was far from what she truly wanted.

But if she turned him down, she had no doubt he would get up and leave without a second thought. After all, this could be her only chance to get close to him.

She hesitated before replying, “Fine. I agree.” She smiled lightheartedly and added, “It’s just pretend anyway. Plus, I’ll be getting the better end of the deal.”

It was a pretense for now, but who knew what the future held? Only time would tell what came next.

Hansel lowered his gaze, and his expression remained unreadable. “Okay. I’ll ask Joe to draft a contract later, and you just have to sign it.”

Written terms would leave no room for misunderstandings. That was a lesson he had learned from Ingrid.

Willow smiled and nodded. “Sure.”

But inside, her heart sank. She could tell Hansel wanted to keep his distance and was cautious about getting entangled with her.

“Can we exchange numbers? It’ll make it easier for us to get in touch,” she said and casually pulled out her phone.

Hansel hummed as he scanned her WhatsApp QR code.

After adding his contact to her phone, she noticed his profile picture–a painting of a delicate rose blooming in a tranquil garden.

“What a coincidence,” she remarked. “Your picture features a rose, and mine has clouds.”

Hansel asked, “What’s so coincidental about that?”

Willow paused and said, “They’re both part of nature, right?”

He corrected her, “It’s not just any rose.”

“Huh?”

“It symbolizes beauty and the fleeting nature of time, like the moments we cherish,” he said.

Willow laughed awkwardly. “Oh, I see. I didn’t think of it that way.”

Hansel’s fingers gently traced the picture on his phone screen. “In the garden, the Miranda rose stands proud, and it reminds us to cherish beauty even in turmoil.”

She fell silent as her expression turned serious. “By the way, I still don’t know your name. Here, I’ll send you mine.”

She shared her contact information, but he had already put his phone away.

“Hansel Johnson,” he replied curtly.

She was about to say something, but he was already on his feet and prepared to leave.

Chapter 0551

+25 BONUS

After taking a few steps, he paused as if recalling something important and turned back. “To clarify our contractual relationship, I must remind you of something.”

“What is it?” Willow looked at him.

Hansel’s expression remained neutral. “Throughout our contract, we’re just business partners. No personal feelings will be involved. I have someone special in my life, and I’m not interested in you. You seem wise, so…

“Don’t get your hopes up. It won’t end well. I won’t love anyone but Miranda for the rest of my life.”

His voice was soft but carried a chill like a light winter rain that seeped through the bone.

After receiving Hansel’s signed consent letter, Miranda couldn’t go to the relevant department to finalize the paperwork since it was Sunday. Instead, she headed home.

As she turned to the street corner, she spotted someone. “Dr. Jefferson? Are you going out for a run again?” She had just seen him jogging the night before

After Hansel dropped her off, she spotted Paul dressed in workout clothes and drenched in sweat at the street corner.

When he saw her, he asked, “Are you okay?”

Miranda blinked in confusion. “Why do you ask?” She wondered if her expression gave the impression that something was off.

Paul simply smiled and eyed her without answering. “Want to run two laps together?” he asked.

She pointed to her apartment. “Let me change first, and I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Sure.”

Miranda couldn’t believe Paul was running again this morning, especially after his run last night. “Dr. Jefferson, are you training for a race or something?”

“Nope.” He shook his head.