When fate plays its hand
When fate plays its hand 921

Chapter 0921

Miranda had found a shell. Though she wasn’t sure what type it was, the mix of purple and orange was especially beautiful.

She waved at Paul excitedly. “Dr. Jefferson! Come and look at this!” She looked like a child who had just found treasure and was eager to share it with her friend.”

He quickly walked over to her.

Miranda opened her hand to show him the shell. “Isn’t it pretty?” she asked.

Looking at her excited expression, Paul smiled and nodded. “Yes, it’s beautiful.”

“Well… Do you want to take off your shoes and join me?” she offered.

He choked slightly. “No, no, maybe next time.”

She didn’t press the matter and smiled in understanding.

Paul grinned and thought that Miranda had already silently agreed there would be a next

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The two continued walking along the coastline, and the waves occasionally reached her

calves. He stood on the shore and watched her with a smile.

“Dr. Jefferson, where do you think we’ll end up if we just keep moving forward?” She turned and put her hands behind her, walking backward as she spoke.

He thought momentarily before answering, “The coastline ends where the beach begins, and the beach always returns to the sea.”

Miranda was stunned by the response and laughed. “I thought you’d get all serious and say something like, ‘The coastline is the boundary between the sea and land, which is marked by the high tide line during an average tidal cycle.

“With factors like tides and storm surges, the coastline isn’t a fixed line but rather a band- shaped zone.‘ Or maybe you’d explain it from a physics point of view.”

She mimicked his tone and sounded like a professor. And to be honest, she nailed it.

Paul couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Didn’t you already have the answer figured out? Why ask me? Of course, if you want to hear it, I can explain it from a physics standpoint.”

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She quickly waved her hand. “No need. I prefer your earlier answer.” At that moment, her long hair fluttered in the breeze, and a few strands brushed her cheek.

After all, everything that came from the sea eventually returned to it.

Paul’s fingers twitched as though he wanted to tuck the strands of hair behind her ear, but he held back. It wasn’t the right time–at least, not yet. He silently reminded himself.

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+29 BORUS

Chapter 0921

The waves crashed against the shore, and the water level rose slowly.

Paul frowned and looked at the sky. The clouds had blocked the sunlight, and it had grown cloudy. In the month of May at the coast, the lack of sunshine made the breeze feel chilly, ” Miranda, get up. The tide’s coming in.”

“Okay.” She nodded and listened to him. At that moment, she could already feel the chill in the air.

The two found a nearby pool. Paul grabbed the hose, tested the water temperature, and was relieved to replace it warm.

As Miranda reached to take the hose, he bent down and guided the water to her feet to wash off the sand. Once it was clean, she hurriedly searched her bag for a tissue. But to her surprise, he was already holding one out to her

“Thanks,” she said. She appreciated his thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

She put on her shoes, and the two walked back. The group had agreed to gather at 4:30 pm and leave the island at 5:00 pm. Since it was already 4:00 pm, they had just enough time to return to the meeting point.

While they were walking, Miranda suddenly stopped and pointed at the distant sea. “Look, Dr. Jefferson! There’s a fishing boat coming back.”

The boat slowly approached the shore under their gaze, and it was laden with its haul. She led him over to take a closer look, and they saw fresh crabs, fish, and shrimp still struggling in the net, which were large and plump.

She said, “All sails go to sea, but the boats return with a bounty. It’s wonderful.”

Paul nodded. As Miranda turned away, he looked at her back with almost reverent eyes. He murmured, “Yes, it was truly wonderful.”

At 5:00 pm, the bus left the island on schedule and returned to the hotel at 6:00 pm.

When Miranda stepped off the bus, a staff member from the organizers approached her and handed her a red invitation card.