Chapter21 That Man Looks Just Like Clifton
Before the frustration in his chest could fully take hold, Harrison noticed Allen Valen, the director of Global Capital, gesturing to him from across the room where he stood deep in conversation with Miranda.
Suppressing the inexplicable irritation gnawing at him, Harrison picked up his wine glass and made his way over.
"Miranda Lancaster, let me introduce you," Allen said enthusiastically, clapping Harrison on the shoulder. "This is Harrison Whitmore from Whitmore Corporation. I hear Whitmore has been looking into the new energy sector lately. He should be very interested in your Stellar Project. You two should talk."
At his words, Miranda lifted her eyes, her gaze settling calmly on Harrison.
Allen had been overseas for years. He probably had no idea about her history with Harrison and was actually trying to broker a partnership between them.
Harrison stared at the radiant woman before him, his Adam's apple bobbing as his voice came out slightly hoarse. "Miranda Lancaster. Didn't expect to see you here."
"What? You two know each other?" Allen picked up on the awkward tension immediately.
Miranda's red lips curved slightly as she set down her champagne glass, her tone as casual as if she were commenting on the weather.
"We do." She met Allen's curious gaze head on. "He's my ex-husband."
"..."
The air seemed to freeze in that moment.
Allen's enthusiastic smile instantly stiffened. He stood there like a statue, looking between Miranda and Harrison, whose expression had turned extremely unpleasant, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.
"Ha ha, well... I'm so sorry. I just got back from abroad, wasn't aware of these things..."
"It's fine." Miranda smiled, and that smile held no resentment, only acceptance.
She rose gracefully and nodded at Allen. "Mr. Valen, if you'll excuse me. My brother is waiting for me over there."
With that, she turned and walked away without sparing Harrison another glance.
In business, profit came first.
Miranda had considered whether, for the sake of the Stellar Project, she might be able to set aside personal grievances and partner with Whitmore.
But thinking it over, given how Harrison protected Ariana like she was the apple of his eye, if they actually worked together, Ariana would cause trouble every other day. The headaches would far outweigh any benefits.
Rather than get entangled with people like that, she'd be better off spending her energy finding more reliable partners.
Watching Miranda's resolute departing figure, Allen finally recovered from his embarrassment. He nudged Harrison with his elbow and said in a low voice with admiration, "Harrison, that ex-wife of yours... she's really something."
"Just chatted with her a bit. Solid professional knowledge, sharp analytical perspective. She's a rare talent. How did you two end up—"
Hearing praise for Miranda from someone else, especially such undisguised admiration, made that sour feeling well up in Harrison's chest again.
Impressive?
How had he never noticed she was impressive?
During those three years by his side, she had always been gentle and obedient, treating him like her whole world. When had she ever displayed this commanding, brilliant presence?
Just then, Ariana, unwilling to be left out, came gliding over with her wine glass, addressing Allen sweetly. "Mr. Valen, hello. My name is Ariana. I also work at Lancaster."
Allen merely nodded politely, his attention clearly elsewhere.
On the banquet balcony, the evening breeze blew gently, dispelling some of the alcohol's effects.
Miranda leaned against the railing, gazing at the brilliant lights in the garden below, her mood unusually calm.
The moment she turned around, she saw Ariana approaching with the air of a victor.
"Sister, standing out here in the cold wind all alone?" Ariana covered her mouth as she laughed, barely concealing the smugness in her eyes. "Mr. Valen just complimented my work abilities and said I have potential."
Miranda glanced at her, finding it somewhat amusing, her tone indifferent.
"And?"
She lazily curved her lips, delivering the fatal blow. "Ariana, let me remind you of something. Without my permission, you won't even get through the door of the Stellar Project department."
With that, she didn't even bother looking at Ariana's face, which had instantly turned ashen. She simply turned and walked away.
Wasting words on someone like this was pointless. She'd be better off networking with actual business leaders to pave her own path forward.
At the same time, on the second floor of the banquet hall, in a secluded room.
A team member reported to Clifton in a low voice. "Captain, all four targets are drunk. Our people have guided them to the rest area."
Clifton stood in the shadows, radiating an icy coldness as he commanded in a deep voice, "Move."
Miranda had just come down from the balcony, planning to grab something from the buffet area, when a tall, upright figure suddenly flashed past at the end of the corridor.
In that one glimpse, Miranda froze completely.
That profile she'd caught a glimpse of. Why did it look so much like Clifton?
Before she could think it through, she instinctively gave chase.
But after only a few steps, two security personnel in black suits stopped her.
"Miss, sorry, but we're clearing this area. You can't go in right now."
Miranda stopped, looking at the empty corridor, her heart beating somewhat fast.
She patted her head, thinking she must have lost her mind.
Clifton's legs had been declared disabled by all the top specialists both domestically and abroad. How could he possibly be here, walking so fast?
She must have seen wrong.
Though that glimpse just now... that man really did look too much like Clifton, like they'd been cast from the same mold.
Thinking along these lines, Miranda suddenly remembered something. Wealthy families always had secrets outsiders didn't know about.
Almost on impulse, she pulled out her phone, opened her pinned contact, and quickly typed a line.
[Do you have any brothers?]
In the rest area, Clifton had just finished dealing with one target when his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He took out his phone and glanced at it. It was from Miranda.
Seeing that question, his deep eyes narrowed slightly. He understood immediately.
This woman had sharp eyes.
He naturally knew she was at this banquet tonight. She must have just caught sight of him.
His fingertip tapped lightly as he replied.
[Not in Grandfather's line. Why?]
Miranda soon received the response.
Seeing the word "not," she actually felt relieved, thinking she really must have had too much to drink and was seeing things.
[Nothing. Just saw someone who looked a lot like you. Probably mistaken.]
After sending that, there was no further reply.
Miranda put away her phone and headed back to the banquet hall.
On the second floor, after Clifton finished handling everything and signaled his team to wrap up, he walked to the window, his gaze falling on the brilliantly lit banquet hall below.
He immediately spotted that figure in the champagne colored dress.
Miranda held her wine glass, moving through the crowd with practiced ease. That confident, radiant quality about her made her the undisputed center of attention.
Countless male gazes, whether stunned, appreciative, or curious, all landed on her.
Especially Harrison, whose eyes were practically glued to Miranda.
This scene made Clifton's eyes darken.
His grip on his phone unconsciously tightened, his knuckles turning white.
This woman questioned whether he was "capable" first thing this morning, then dressed like this in the evening to seduce other men?
Fine.
His face expressionless, he turned around, leaned against the railing, and dialed his assistant Mia's number.
The call was answered almost instantly.
"Boss."
Clifton's voice was low.
"Mia, arrange for our subsidiary to approach Miranda from Lancaster Corporation about partnering on the Stellar Project."
Mia on the other end paused briefly but responded professionally. "Yes, boss. I'll arrange it tomorrow—"
"Right now." Clifton cut her off.
He turned sideways, his gaze once again finding that figure surrounded by people below, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.
"Tell her Prescott Corporation is very interested in her project."