MasukAt that moment, Felix had just brought Mia and Sienna back to the Gibson estate.He was about to head to Miranda’s lab when he saw Dr. Smith’s call come in.He answered through the car’s hands-free system.“Hello, Dr. Smith.”“Mr. Gibson, there’s something I need to report to you,” Dr. Smith said. “Ms. Spencer came to the lab for her blood draw earlier, but during testing, we found that her sample showed positive syphilis markers.”Felix’s heart sank slightly.But in a way, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.He already knew how chaotic Xena’s private life had become recently, so the news didn’t truly surprise him.“Dr. Smith, stop all experiments involving her blood,” Felix said, his voice low and firm. “I’ll terminate the contract with her. We won’t be using her anymore.”Dr. Smith’s voice remained professional and cautious.“Understood. We’ll begin a full biosafety review of the lab immediately.”“Thank you.”Felix ended the call, then dialed Gavin.Gavin answered quickly.
Xena bit her lip and looked in the direction Derek had left with a sneer.Then she got ready to leave too.Just then, a server walked over.“Miss, you haven’t paid your bill yet.”Xena stiffened.She walked to the counter, paid, and left.These past few days, everything had been arranged for her, from her meals to her transportation to the place she stayed. It had been a long time since she had paid for anything herself.Xena walked out of the riding club in a daze.Even though it was already August, she felt cold all over.Derek was gone.Daniel had stopped paying for her life too.She had no assistant, no agent, and not a single person left who could help her.Just then, her phone rang.She glanced at the screen and answered.“Hello?”“Ms. Spencer, according to the contract, today is the day you’re scheduled to come in for a blood draw. Are you available to stop by the lab now?”It was Dr. Smith’s assistant.Anger flashed across Xena’s face.Felix had just driven he
Felix was unbelievably gentle with Mia.Mia looked up at him, clutching the front of his shirt, and asked loudly, “Daddy, do you love Mommy?”Xena had just said Felix didn’t love Miranda.So Mia wanted to hear the answer from him herself.Felix paused for a second.Then he looked into Mia’s eyes, stroked her hair, and answered quietly but firmly, “Yes. I love her.”“Then have you ever liked anyone else besides Mommy?” Mia asked again.Felix kissed her forehead.“No,” he said, just as firmly.Those two answers sent a flash of pain across Xena’s face.Was she really being forced to stand there and listen to Felix confess his love for Miranda?Mia’s eyes brightened at his answer.She wrapped her arms around his neck.“Okay. I know now.”Felix gently pressed her head against his chest.When he looked up again, the warmth in his expression was gone.His eyes were so cold they seemed capable of freezing the air around them.“Xena, I’m giving you three days. Settle whatever y
Xena continued, “Yes, I got close to Mia on purpose. Every time I saw her, it was like seeing Miranda, and it disgusted me. I pretended to like her and played with her only because I wanted to please Felix. But that little ingrate never appreciated any of it, no matter how nice I pretended to be.”“Shut up!” Sienna snapped. “Mia was only a few years old back then. You used a child that cruelly, and you still have the nerve to say it out loud?”Hatred flashed in Xena’s eyes.“If Miranda hadn’t stolen Felix from me back then, I would have been your sister-in-law long ago. What chance would Miranda have had?”Sienna raised an eyebrow and shot back at once.“Xena, where do you get the confidence to think Felix would ever love you? Let me tell you something. The only woman Felix has ever loved is Miranda. And after all these years, you know better than anyone whether he ever had feelings for you. Stop deluding yourself into thinking he would fall in love with you. Keep dreaming.”Xena
Xena let out a cold laugh.“If it weren’t for me, you and your mom wouldn’t even be alive today. Is this how the Gibson family treats someone who saved their lives?”“Xena, you got far more out of it than you ever gave,” Sienna said, her expression cooling. “So stop acting like some innocent victim. And don’t forget, I still haven’t settled the score with you for approaching my family with an agenda back then.”“Didn’t you already ruin my performance?” Xena snapped, anger flashing in her eyes. “I have you to thank for where I am now, don’t I, Ms. Gibson?”“Was I wrong to report you?” Sienna said sharply. “Artists deserve respect. You don’t.”Xena clenched her jaw.“If you hadn’t been born into a good family, with that brain of yours, I doubt you could even support yourself. And you have the nerve to judge other people?”“What can I say?” Sienna raised an eyebrow, looking pleased with herself. “I was born lucky. That’s something you’ll never have, no matter how much you envy it.”
Derek knew that winning Xena over would take money.He also wanted to show off a little, to prove that if she stayed with him, she wouldn’t be making the wrong choice.It just so happened that his close friend’s father owned one of the largest private stables in Atlantis City.Derek immediately said with generous confidence, “Of course. I’ve been meaning to go pick out a good horse myself. We can head over now.”Xena’s heart lifted.It looked like Derek was serious about pursuing her after all. She had been worried he might be cheap.Her lips curved into a delighted smile.“Thank you, Mr. Lee. Then let’s go.”As Derek stood and took a few steps forward, Xena naturally slipped her arm through his.That small gesture pleased him instantly.Xena was exactly his type. Even knowing Daniel had just handed her off to him, Derek didn’t mind at all.If anything, he enjoyed it.There was one thing Derek had always been insecure about. He had never been especially confident in his own
Victor nodded thoughtfully. “It’s definitely something to keep an eye on, but we need solid proof before we take any action.”“And where are we supposed to find that proof?” Fiona sighed, glancing at him with frustration.“It’ll show up on its own eventually,” Victor said.A faint, knowing smile
Mike’s teammate didn’t live anywhere near there. He had given that address on purpose, just so he could accompany Miranda part of the way and make sure she got home safely.After watching her car disappear, he flagged down a taxi and headed home.Miranda carried her trophy into the house. Mrs. You
Miranda nodded politely. If she ever had the chance, she wouldn’t mind visiting.Lunch was pleasant, though Mike’s reluctance to part showed in his eyes. Still, duty called, and he had to return to the base.When they finished, the two walked together to the parking lot. Mike followed her to her c
Miranda was still deep in thought when her phone rang. It was James.“Hey, James,” she answered.“We’ve got the results,” he said.“Who was it?”“It was Victor. He just confessed to everything in front of us.”Miranda froze. “You’re certain he acted alone? No one helped him?”“He admitted to t







