When fate plays its hand
hand 651

Chapter 0651

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“Alright.” Miranda nodded with a smile. “I’ll head out first. Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. Landon!”

“Wait! Take me with you! I’m heading the same way!” Madison called out.

Sebastian pulled her back, saying. “Why are you trying to join them? I’ll drive you home in a bit.”

“Uh, isn’t that a bit… inconvenient?” Mostly, she was worried he’d hold a grudge about her laughing so hard earlier.

Sebastian replied, “I think it’s perfect.”

Madison was speechless.

As Paul and Miranda left, Sam’s eyes narrowed as he watched them. When Miranda got into the car, she removed her scarf, and Paul instinctively reached out to take it. Surprisingly, she handed it to him without hesitation.

Scott walked over and patted Sam on the shoulder. “Thinking of driving someone home? You drank a lot at the table; let’s not do anything illegal..

Sam frowned. “What about Paul? Did he drink?”

“Nope,” Scott assured him.

“Are you sure?”

“He was sitting right next to me. I’d know if he drank.”

Sam persisted, “Then why did he have a glass with what looked like white liquor in it?”

Scott waved his hand dismissively. “That was Sprite.”

I

Sam paused, feeling a pang of annoyance. “Paul, you sly fox!” he thought to himself. He mentally noted. yet another score to settle.

As the driver pulled the car up, Sam got in and left. Watching the scenery zip past the window, he absentmindedly rubbed his chin, wondering if he should buy a place near where Miranda lived. That way. the next time something like this happened, it wouldn’t just be Paul conveniently nearby.

But as quickly as the thought appeared, he dismissed it. Being too close might scare her off. She’d retreat like a timid rabbit, never allowing him near again. Hansel’s failed attempt was proof enough,

Hence, Sam couldn’t allow himself to make the same mistake. It was just that…. Paul would constantly have the upper hand!

The sky grew darker, the stars sparkling above while the city’s usual hustle softened, wrapped in the quietude of evening.

The driver usually took him straight back to the Coopers‘, but Sam suddenly recalled a call from Aren and Fiona’s housekeeper that morning. He’d been in a meeting at the time. But when he called back later, a different housekeeper answered, assuring him everything was fine.

Thinking about it now, it was unlikely they’d call for no reason. Perhaps it wasn’t an urgent health matter but something else. Besides, he hadn’t visited the old couple in a while, so he instructed the driver to

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head to the Garrison estate.

The Garrison estate was Arupian–style, and it was in Sackberd Road, serving as Aren and Fiona’s temporary residence in the country. To enter, one had to walk through a small garden where vibrant wisteria cascaded over the glass walls of the conservatory.

From a distance, the glass enclosure looked like a massive basket filled with purple blooms

Minnie had loved wisteria since she was little, and wherever they lived, Fiona insisted on a garden for her. Thus, they’d constructed a conservatory at each place, including this one.

Garrison Garden also had a vast wisteria grove with a swing nestled in between–a secret hideaway Minnie had cherished as a child.

Looking at the lovingly tended wisteria, Sam couldn’t help but sigh. Would Aren and Fiona’s regrets ever be eased in this lifetime?

“Grandpa Grandma!” he called out as he entered.

Aren quickly stood up, smiling warmly as he approached. “Ah, Sam! What brings you here?”

Sam switched into the slippers the housekeeper brought over and hung up his coat on the rack. “What, are you not happy to see me?”