Chapter29 I'll Give My Own Speech
Stella ignored Harrison's words. Besides, he trusted Miranda.
"Miranda would never leave without saying anything."
He turned to the students nearby and said, "Everyone split up and search the teaching building and administration building. See if Miranda is being delayed by something."
"Yes, Professor!"
Several students ran out quickly.
Ariana's smile faltered slightly, but she still said in a gentle voice, "Professor Stella, don't be upset. Harrison is just worried about the delay affecting things negatively. Even if my cousin really has some urgent matter, she shouldn't disappear at a time like this."
Before long, the students who had been sent out returned looking dejected.
"Professor, we didn't find her. The administration building said she came by earlier."
"We checked all the restrooms in the teaching building too. Nobody's there."
Stella's frown deepened.
There were only ten minutes left before the speech. If Miranda didn't return, they would really have to find a replacement.
But he felt stubborn about it. His most talented student would never just abandon everything.
Another five minutes passed.
Ariana glanced at her watch and walked over to Stella, her face showing just the right amount of concern.
"Professor Stella, it seems we really can't find my cousin. Look, the leaders and students in the audience are all waiting. We can't keep everyone waiting indefinitely."
She smiled slightly and proactively reached over to take the microphone from a junior student's hand, gripping it tightly.
"Today, let me give this speech in my cousin's place. When she comes back, you must really talk to her. No matter what’s going on with her, she can’t just act this selfish and Make everyone wait around for her like this!"
Her words made her sound considerate and generous while subtly labeling Miranda as "willful and irresponsible."
She felt pleased with herself. Today, in her alma mater's auditorium, the most dazzling person could only be her, Ariana.
After the speech, she would buy some press releases. Her value would increase, which would help her career.
Just as she finished speaking—
With a creak, the backstage door was pushed open from outside.
A cool figure walked in against the light.
Miranda wore a well-tailored beige suit that made her posture straight, capable yet elegant.
Though her face still showed some pallor, her eyes were bright and shining.
Seeing Miranda appear, Ariana's smile completely froze.
How could Miranda be here? She should have been locked in that remote restroom, unable to get out. How did the person behind this botch such a simple task?
Miranda walked forward step by step, smiling as she pulled the microphone from Ariana's stiff hands.
Her gentle voice rang out backstage.
"That won't be necessary. I'll give my own speech. My dear cousin should just sit in the audience and watch."
Then she turned to Stella, an apologetic smile on her face. "Professor, sorry. There was a small incident just now. I'm late."
Seeing her appear, Stella's heart finally settled. He let out a long breath, his face showing a relieved smile. "Good that you're back. Get ready quickly. You're on soon."
Miranda nodded, taking the microphone and walking onto the stage under everyone's expectant gazes.
The spotlight shone on Miranda, illuminating her confidence and radiance.
The speech went very smoothly. Miranda even answered several questions from students on stage, livening up the atmosphere.
When the speech ended, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Miranda calmly left the stage and immediately spotted Clifton sitting in the corner of the first row.
She walked over and sat beside him, lowering her voice to speak sincerely. "Thank you."
"Fortunately, you had someone prepare a spare outfit in the car. Otherwise, I might not have been able to give the speech today."
Clifton's gaze moved from the stage to her, his tone flat and emotionless. "No need to thank me."
He paused, then said, "I have something to do. I'm going out for a bit."
"Do you need me to come with you?" Miranda asked instinctively.
Clifton looked at her and shook his head. "No need."
With that, he controlled his wheelchair and quietly left through the auditorium's side door.
Outside the auditorium, in a secluded corner.
Clifton folded the wheelchair neatly and hid it behind a row of ornamental trees.
He removed his casual jacket, revealing the black tactical suit underneath. From an inconspicuous backpack in the corner, he took out his equipment and quickly geared up.
One moment ago, he was a refined, gentle, disabled husband. Now, his entire body radiated a chilling, deadly aura.
He sprinted toward the remote storage room Miranda had mentioned.
Inside the storage room, several team members also dressed in tactical gear were conducting an on-site investigation.
Seeing Clifton, the lead team member immediately stepped forward, lowering his voice respectfully. "Captain, you're here. What your wife said was correct. There were explosives here, but they've been doused with water and the fuse has been disabled."
Another team member couldn't help but exclaim, "Captain, your wife really helped us this time. If she hadn't stumbled upon this place by accident, the consequences would have been unthinkable."
Clifton walked over to the pile of water-soaked explosives and crouched down, his dark eyes somber.
Less than half an hour before the speech began, as he was preparing to reorganize the team and proceed to the predetermined location for deployment according to plan, a disheveled figure had stumbled into his line of sight.
It was Miranda.
Clifton had returned to his wheelchair, pretending to encounter her by chance.
Her hair was messy, her body covered in dust. When she saw Clifton, her face flashed with relief and joy mixed with lingering fear.
"Clifton." Her voice trembled. "Call the police quickly. Someone planted explosives in the storage room backstage at the school."
She quickly recounted how she had been locked in, escaped through the ventilation duct, and discovered the explosives.
Faced with the panic in her voice, Clifton remained exceptionally calm.
While discreetly transmitting the information and location to team members stationed nearby through his wrist communication device, he spoke in a low voice to reassure her.
"Don't be afraid. Leave this matter to me."
Looking at her disheveled state, he gestured toward the car. "There's a spare outfit in the trunk. Go change. Your speech is about to start."
In that moment, looking into his unfathomable eyes, the panic in Miranda's heart was miraculously soothed.
That was how she managed to rush back backstage in time and successfully complete her speech.
"Captain?"
A team member's voice pulled him back to reality.
"We've basically confirmed that the person behind this has been smuggling weapons and explosives all along."
"Setting off explosives at the school today was meant to create massive panic and chaos to cover up a secret transaction at Port C."
Clifton's eyes sharpened. "Have you confirmed the transaction location?"
"Confirmed. It's at the abandoned dock in the east district. The transaction is scheduled for one hour from now. Both the buyer and seller are under our close surveillance."
Clifton stood up, his gaze cold and fierce.
"Leave now. Move in before they realize their school plan failed!"