ログインFelix sat quietly with a cup of tea in his hand, watching Miranda speak with calm confidence about her research. In moments like this, she was so radiant it was hard to look away. Even the business leaders at the table were listening with unusual focus.“Chairman Gibson really has an eye for talent,” Mr. Lambert remarked. “Someone like Dr. Stone absolutely deserves serious support.”Felix gave a slight nod. “Science and technology drive a nation forward, and talent is at the center of that. Dr. Stone is more than worthy of support.”Miranda had just lowered her eyes and lifted her glass when a server placed a dessert in front of her, separate from the others.Felix made a small gesture. “I ordered that specially for Dr. Stone.”Miranda paused for a moment.Everyone at the table understood what he was doing. Felix was clearly trying to win her over.After all, they all knew the two of them had once been married.“This dessert is excellent. Dr. Stone, you should try it,” Chairman
“Don’t leave when the meeting ends. I want to introduce you to a few important people.”Miranda froze for a second and looked up in Felix’s direction. He didn’t turn around. Then another message from him came through.“It’ll help your career.”Miranda replied, “Okay.”A little later, the meeting ended. No one in the room rushed to leave. Instead, everyone took the chance to network with people from other industries. When Miranda stood up, she saw Felix standing among the crowd, looking straight at her.She immediately understood and walked over to his side. Setting their personal history aside, these kinds of connections really were important for her.The moment Miranda reached him, Felix led her over to a sharp-eyed older man.“Miranda, this is Mr. Lambert of HD Pharmaceutical Group.”Then he turned to the older man and said, “This is Dr. Miranda Stone from the medical university.”“Mr. Lambert, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” Miranda smiled and re
Chairman Lowe spent half an hour onstage delivering a passionate speech, looking back over everything he had accomplished during his fifteen years in office. Then, at last, he announced in a solemn voice, “After careful consideration and broad recommendation, the new chair of the chamber will be Mr. Felix Gibson.”The announcement came with no real suspense.Even so, the room, along with the media present, sat in stunned silence for a few seconds before applause broke out like thunder.Amid the applause, Felix rose calmly from his seat and walked to the stage. He shook Chairman Lowe’s hand, and Chairman Lowe gave his shoulder a firm pat, as if handing over the weight of the role to him in that moment.An usher stepped forward. Chairman Lowe personally took the appointment letter from the tray and handed it to Felix. Felix accepted it with both hands, the silver-gray in his hair catching the light with a cool sheen.After the brief handover, Felix stepped up to the podium. His ga
The bodyguard caught the moment in the rearview mirror and, reading the room, quietly slowed the car a little.But moments like this felt very far away now.The car in front of them suddenly braked hard. The bodyguard reacted at once and slammed on the brakes too. Mia, safe in Felix’s arms, was fine, but Miranda was jolted awake by the force.When she opened her eyes, she realized she had slid down from Felix’s shoulder. Her body stiffened for a brief second.Then, in a calm voice, as if it were nothing at all, she asked, “What happened?”“Sorry, Ms. Stone. Traffic up ahead,” the bodyguard explained.Miranda lifted a hand to smooth her slightly mussed hair and looked toward the road ahead. She didn’t notice the dimming look in Felix’s eyes beside her. Her calm reaction caught him by surprise. It was as if what had just happened meant nothing to her at all.In the elevator, Miranda reached out to take Mia, but Felix kept holding her. He carried her all the way to Miranda’s bedroo
“Daddy, look. There’s a little bunny over there,” Mia suddenly whispered, pointing at the grass.Felix followed the direction she was pointing and sure enough saw a wild rabbit nibbling at the grass. He motioned for her to stay quiet, then gently picked her up and carried her a little closer.Curled in Felix’s arms, Mia quietly watched the little rabbit eat until it finally ran off. Only then did she say, still wanting more, “Daddy, I want to come hiking again next time.”“Okay. When I have time, I’ll bring you again,” Felix said with a soft smile.They kept heading toward the summit. The higher they climbed, the steeper the trail became. Miranda was starting to tire out and ended up behind with Gavin, while Felix stayed up front with Mia.“Mia really has great stamina,” Gavin said.“She really does.” Miranda answered between breaths, though there was clear pride in her eyes.At last, they reached the top. Miranda was so tired she found a rock and sat down. Mia was off nearby pl
“Wow, it’s so pretty!” Mia was instantly amazed. Living in the city, she rarely got to see scenery like this, with green mountains and clear water everywhere.“Mommy, look. There’s a big butterfly over there, and it’s blue,” she said, pointing with wide-eyed curiosity.Miranda looked in the direction Mia was pointing and saw a butterfly fluttering among the flowers. Sunlight filtered through the leaves overhead, and the mountain breeze carried the scent of wildflowers. It lifted her mood too.“It’s beautiful.”Gavin was dressed in athletic clothes too, with a hiking backpack slung over his shoulders. It was not often he got to accompany Felix somewhere other than a conference room, and he was in a good mood as well.“That’s a blue swallowtail,” Felix said, explaining it to Mia.“It’s so pretty!” Mia ran happily across the grass after the butterfly.Miranda pulled out her phone and started recording Mia’s excited little figure.Felix stood off to the side, his expression softeni
A short while later, the same server from earlier brought Miranda a glass of lemon water. She glanced at it but didn’t take it.Throughout the entire meal, Miranda never touched the water. Felix clearly noticed this as well, though there was no emotion visible on his face.When it was time to retu
Early the next morning, after dropping Mia off at school, Miranda headed to the lab. The trip to the Danesia summit had been immensely rewarding, and now it was time for her to fully focus on her ongoing research.James called for the morning meeting, and Miranda slipped on her lab coat before head
Xena nodded thoughtfully. “All right. Go ahead, then.”Sienna didn’t even bother to say goodbye. She headed straight for the Lincoln Corporation.By four o’clock, Sienna had arrived at the Lincoln Corporation headquarters. She had worked there before, and the front desk recognized her, so no one s
After the meeting ended, Miranda had just finished gathering her documents and was about to leave when Gavin hurried over.“Ms. Stone, Mr. Gibson would like to see you in his office.”Miranda frowned. “What for?”“He didn’t say. He just asked that you go.”She pressed her lips together, then fol







