جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 140

This time, two tall men in suits stepped out of the SUV and greeted her politely. “Ms. Stone, hello. Mr. Gibson sent us. From now on, we’ll be handling your security whenever you travel.”Miranda blinked. “Felix sent bodyguards for me?”She immediately thought back to the day he mentioned the chemical plant. It had to be James who told him. After all, he was the only one who knew the full story of how the plant was targeting her.She gave the men a small nod but couldn’t shake the thought—had Felix sent them to protect her, or to keep her under surveillance? Did he really suspect there was something going on between her and James?Later, Miranda arrived at Lucas’s office. The moment he saw her, his jaw practically dropped.“Lucas, what’s with that look?” she asked.“A perfect score. How did you even manage that?” he said, arms crossed, still staring at her in disbelief.“My assessment test?” Miranda asked with a smile.“You never stop surprising me. I didn’t realize Dr. Stone t

Miranda froze, and even Lucas looked a little surprised. Still, since the two labs were already in partnership, whichever team she joined could only be a good thing.“Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins, for thinking so highly of me,” Miranda said politely. “But I’m only a sophomore. I don’t yet have the experience or ability to join your lab. I hope you’ll understand.”Celine smiled warmly. “You’re Eugene Stone’s daughter. Your abilities have already been proven. I see enormous potential in you, Ms. Stone. I hope you’ll take your time and give it some thought.”“I will. Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins,” Miranda replied with a polite smile.“Come have a drink with me. My team leader is here tonight as well. I’d like to introduce you.”Miranda nodded, and together they walked out into the main hall. Just as they stepped out, they ran into Felix and Xena.“Mrs. Jenkins, so nice to see you,” Xena greeted warmly. “We were just about to come over and say hi.”Felix’s smile faded a little when he saw Mir

Felix answered the call. “Hello?”“Mr. Gibson, that paper you sent me—didn't you know it was written by Miranda?” Lucas’s voice carried a hint of amusement.Felix seemed to have expected this answer. He chuckled softly. “Is that so?”“Didn’t you notice the author’s name at the bottom? It’s right there—Miranda S.”“Are you certain it’s her work?” Felix asked for confirmation, wanting to make sure he wasn't looking for the wrong person.“Absolutely certain. Miranda is truly exceptional. She scored a perfect score on her assessment test this time,” Lucas added.Felix’s brow furrowed. “Assessment test?”“It was for her accelerated graduation application. You didn’t know?” Lucas sounded genuinely surprised. “Don't married couples usually share everything with each other?” he wondered.“I see,” Felix murmured, his gaze darkening as thoughts churned.“If you’d like more details about the paper, feel free to reach out anytime,” Lucas offered.“That won’t be necessary,” Felix said cur

Out of the corner of her eye, Miranda noticed it, but she didn’t take a sip.By nine-thirty, she was putting Mia to bed when Mia suddenly ran out of the room. A moment later, she came back tugging Felix along. “Daddy, I want you to sleep with Mommy and me.”Miranda’s nerves instantly tightened. Felix lay down naturally on the other side of the bed. Mia nestled into his arms, then reached out toward Miranda. “Mommy, give me your hand.”Helpless, Miranda offered her hand. Mia placed it right into Felix’s palm and held on happily. “I want Mommy and Daddy to always stay with me.”Then she pressed her cheek against their hands and rubbed affectionately.Miranda tried to pull away, but Felix’s grip suddenly tightened, holding her fast.He was so strong she couldn’t break free.Annoyance flared inside her. “What’s he trying to pull?” she thought.But with Mia watching, she couldn’t lash out. She could only endure it.“Mommy, you haven’t kissed Daddy in a long time,” Mia suddenly said

“Then how about we make a bet?” Miranda said with a smile.“A bet on what?”“If I pass the accelerated graduation exam and finish early, you’ll let me join your team. If I fail, I’ll walk away from medicine altogether.”Samantha’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe Miranda had the nerve to say something so reckless.“Eugene’s daughter really is bold to the point of arrogance,” she thought. “She has no idea where her limits are.”Samantha said, her curiosity sparked. “Fine. If you manage to graduate early, I’ll let you join my team.”Inside, though, she was certain Miranda would never pull it off. She wanted to break that pride, to make her taste defeat.Being Eugene’s daughter didn’t make her exceptional.Miranda needed to learn the price of arrogance, and Samantha was more than willing to teach her. In her mind, it was almost a favor to Eugene—disciplining his daughter in his place.“Young people shouldn’t let ambition run too high,” Dr. Liam said coldly. “Confidence that tip