When fate plays its hand
hand 644

Chapter 0644

Out of politeness, Miranda lightly shook his hand but quickly pulled hers back. Kai thought for a moment and extended his hand toward Madison.

Madison had just eaten a tart and hadn’t brushed off the crumbs on her hands. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she apologized, “Uh… I’ll skip the handshake. Sorry about that.”

“Oh, that’s alright.“/Kai waved it off, indicating he didn’t mind at all.

Just then, the man sitting next to Kai, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. “Miranda looks… familiar, doesn’t she?”

Miranda glanced up. She recognized him immediately when Sebastian introduced everyone. Well, it was unavoidable. It was a curse of having a memory that was sometimes too sharp.

This man clearly wasn’t the same age as Sebastian or Kai. He seemed older–more mature–and had an intense, assessing look in his eyes. And yet he was here, at their table.

He didn’t quite belong at the main table but still wanted to be at the gathering, which was probably the reason why he was seated at theirs. When Sebastian introduced his friends, he notably skipped over this

man.

Sure enough, Kai turned to him. “Beau, you know Miranda?”

Beau Cabot smirked. “It’s just that the more I look, the more familiar she seems. If I remember right, she’s Hansel’s-”

“Beau,” Sebastian cut in sharply, and his tone carried an unmistakable authority. “Today is my birthday. My classmates are here as my guests.”

In other words, he was implying if Beau was certain he wanted to speak out of line toward a guest of the host?

Beau’s expression faltered briefly, but he quickly regained his composure, smiling as if nothing had happened. “On closer look, I suppose there are some differences. It’s my mistake to speak before thinking. Apologies, Miranda.”

Sebastian’s expression finally relaxed. Madison discreetly gave him a thumbs–up, and he responded with a slight grin. Throughout it all, as the focus of the exchange, Miranda remained calm.

Beau was acquainted with Hansel, and Miranda had seen him at a few business events in the past. Each time, his gaze would linger uncomfortably on her, an unsettling scrutiny she found hard to ignore.

Afterward, she told Hansel about it, but he dismissed her concerns. He still continued to bring her to gatherings where Beau would be present.

After a few occasions, she decided not to go and declined all similar engagements. Hansel reacted angrily, but Miranda held her ground at the time. When her boyfriend wouldn’t protect her, she knew she’d have to protect herself.

Unexpectedly, here she was today, facing that familiar, unwelcome stare once more. Luckily, after Sebastian’s warning, Beau toned it down. Shortly after, as the guests gathered around the main table, Scott invited everyone to start the meal.

Chapter 0644

+25 BONUS

A screen partition separated the two tables, so Miranda couldn’t see who else was at the main table. She only heard lively conversation, the clink of glasses, and the clatter of plates.

Not long into the meal, Beau couldn’t sit still any longer. He picked up his wine glass, slipped around the screen, and made his way to the main table.

After all, this was his purpose for attending today. Though Miranda had been an unexpected side encounter, his sights were firmly set on his target.

“Dr. Jefferson, it’s a pleasure to finally meet… I’ll drink to you first!” Beau’s voice carried across the room.

Jefferson?

Miranda’s heart stirred, and she glanced toward the main table. However, all she saw was the ink–painted partition. Shadows shifted behind it, hinting at movement beyond her view.