Chapter132 Grateful
When Miranda returned to Clifton Manor, the sky had darkened.
She pushed open the door to find the living room lit warmly.
A familiar figure sat on the sofa, holding a magazine.
"You don't have a mission today?"
Miranda was surprised as she changed her shoes.
Clifton closed the magazine and looked up at her, his gaze softened by the warm light. "Mission just ended. They gave me a few days off."
He wheeled forward naturally and took her bag. "Tired?"
"Not bad." Miranda shook her head and sat on the sofa, sinking into the soft cushions with a comfortable sigh.
Clifton poured her a glass of warm water and handed it over, seemingly casual. "Want to know how things turned out with Thomas?"
Miranda's drinking motion paused. Her eyes brightened as she leaned forward slightly. "What happened?"
A smile curved Clifton's lips, his voice low and even.
"That day in the private room, Elara was so furious she stormed in and attacked. The mistress was pushed and hit the corner of the coffee table. She miscarried on the spot."
Miranda gasped.
Though the mistress wasn't a good person, that ending was brutal.
"And then?"
"Thomas watched his only 'son' disappear and lost it. He slapped Elara right there, leaving her stunned."
Clifton's long fingers tapped his knee. "Elara's not the type to take that. She immediately called her parents and family elders, demanding a divorce and filing a lawsuit for infidelity, seeking massive compensation for emotional distress."
"Did they divorce?" Miranda pressed.
Clifton scoffed, his eyes full of contempt. "It actually went to court. Lawyer's letters were sent. Then Elara backed out."
"Backed out?" Miranda looked incredulous. "Thomas cheated, got his mistress pregnant, and she took him back?"
"Thomas got on his knees and apologized. She probably still has fantasies about that man, so she made her parents drop the case."
Clifton's tone was flat. "The whole thing became a joke in their circle."
After hearing it all, Miranda felt a chill run down her spine and couldn't help but shudder.
Thank God.
Thank God when she'd seen Harrison and Ariana's true faces, even though it had been heartbreaking, she'd chosen to cut her losses.
If she'd been like Elara, with capability and family support but making herself a spectacle over a man, that would be truly pathetic.
Miranda set down her glass, not wanting to discuss those two stomach-turning people anymore.
She smoothed her skirt and looked at Clifton. "By the way, I'm going to Europe in a couple days."
Clifton's eyebrow raised. "Vacation?"
"Business." Miranda's expression grew serious. "There's a problem with a core mineral for our new project. The purity hasn't met standards. I need to visit the mine personally and renegotiate with suppliers."
That project was her heart and soul this year. She couldn't let it fall apart over raw materials.
Clifton saw the determination in her eyes and didn't object, simply nodding. "Be safe. I actually have to report back soon too. New mission in a few days."
"Okay, you be careful too."
Two days later.
Miranda, pulling a silver suitcase and followed by a burly bodyguard, boarded a flight to Europe.
After over ten hours in the air, they landed in the local morning.
Miranda didn't waste time on jet lag. She dropped her luggage at the hotel and immediately rented a car with her bodyguard, heading straight for the suburban mine.
Every day the material problem went unsolved meant another day of project delays. That meant burning money.
At the mine site, the receptionist said the owner was out.
Miranda didn't get annoyed. She put on a safety helmet, pulled out her portable testing equipment, and started examining the ore piled outside.
"Beep."
A string of green data appeared on the instrument screen.
Seeing the extremely high purity values, Miranda's tense nerves finally relaxed a bit.
"The material's fine. This is exactly what we need."
She put away the instrument and told her bodyguard, "Let's go. Since the person in charge isn't here, we'll come back tomorrow. As long as we can agree on price, we need to secure this batch."
Meanwhile.
Thousands of kilometers away, at a special forces base command room.
Clifton stood in combat gear before a massive electronic map, his gaze on the city marked in red.
It was a border city. Also where Miranda was on her business trip.
"Boss, the mission target is active in this area."
His deputy reported nearby. "But the place isn't stable lately. Several factions are fighting over mining rights."
Clifton's eyes darkened.
He quickly collected himself and turned to the assembled team members, his voice cold and sharp. "Form up! We move out in ten minutes!"
Abroad, at a five-star hotel suite.
Harrison stood by the window, looking at a photo on his phone.
In it, Miranda was crouched on the ground, carefully examining ore, her profile focused and captivating.
"Heh." Harrison's finger traced the screen as he dialed a number.
"Hello, Allen. It's me."
A cheerful male voice came through. "Harrison! Old friend, long time. That Miranda did come to the mine today, but following your instructions, I had someone tell her I wasn't there."
"Well done."
A confident smile curved Harrison's lips. "She'll definitely come back tomorrow. Don't agree to anything yet. I'll act as the intermediary to facilitate your cooperation."
Though Allen didn't understand, he didn't ask questions.
"Alright, I'll do as you say."
"Thanks." Harrison hung up and gazed at the night outside, swirling his wine glass.
The next morning.
Miranda returned to the mine.
The office door opened, and a blond, blue-eyed man came out.
Miranda paused, then showed a polite smile. "Allen? What a coincidence. I didn't expect you to be running this mine. We met at a gala once."
Allen opened his arms with exaggerated surprise, giving her an air kiss. "I didn't expect it to be you either. Small world."
After pleasantries, they sat down.
Miranda got straight to business. "Allen, I'm very satisfied with your mine's materials. I've come with sincere intentions, hoping for long-term cooperation."
She quoted a price.
It was market rate. Very fair.
But Allen shook his head, looking troubled. "Miranda, you know labor costs are rising. At this price, it's difficult."
Miranda frowned and raised the offer by ten percent.
Allen still shook his head, fingers tapping the table. "Miranda, it's not that I don't want to help, but really..."
Miranda took a deep breath and made a third offer.
This price was considerably above market rate. Any higher, and her profit margin would nearly vanish.
"Allen, this is my bottom line."
Allen studied her, his eyes flickering as he remembered Harrison's instructions.
"Miranda, don't rush."
Allen stood and poured her coffee. "You know our mine has the highest ore purity in this region. Just looking at samples outside isn't impressive enough. Why don't you go down into the mine and see for yourself? The ore veins there are absolutely worth more than the price. After you see it, maybe you'll understand my position."
He waved over a young assistant. "Take Miranda to see Shaft Three."
Miranda thought he was trying to demonstrate "scarcity" to force her to raise the price even more.
But if she didn't go, this deal would probably fall through.
"Fine."
Miranda stood and straightened her clothes. "Lead the way then."
Watching Miranda leave with the assistant, Allen pulled out his phone and sent Harrison a message:
[I didn't agree to cooperation, as you wished.]
At the hotel, Harrison replied instantly: [Good. Tomorrow at noon I'll "run into" you both. I'll need you to do me a favor then.]
Allen: [No problem.]