Chapter137 Agreeing to Harrison's Terms
Evening. The hospital room was lit, the light soft and warm.
Miranda woke and shifted slightly. She felt somewhat better than she had in the morning.
"You're awake?"
Allen was sitting on the nearby sofa reviewing documents. Seeing her wake, he immediately smiled and stood, walking over with a folder in his hand.
"How do you feel? Any better?"
"Much better, thank you for asking." Miranda propped herself up into a sitting position, her gaze sweeping around the room. She didn't see Harrison anywhere.
Allen held the folder out to her. "Miranda, about that raw material pricing we discussed before—I don't think we need to negotiate anymore."
Miranda froze, taking the folder and opening it. Her pupils contracted slightly.
It was a contract, already drafted.
The price was the amount she had quoted in her first offer.
"What's this?" Miranda looked up at Allen.
"Consider it a favor to Harrison."
Allen shrugged, his tone casual. "This mine accident was unexpected, and you got hurt. I feel terrible about it. Plus, Harrison risked his life to save you. As his friend, I have to show some appreciation. This contract is compensation for what happened to you at the mine."
"Also, the accident compensation from the mine will be transferred to your account shortly by our finance department."
Miranda's fingers tightened on the contract.
This was beyond her expectations.
The company project urgently needed these materials. Naturally she wouldn't refuse, especially since her initial price had been market rate—she wasn't taking advantage.
"Alright."
Miranda closed the folder, her expression returning to cool professionalism. "Since Mr. Allen is being so sincere, then here's to a successful partnership."
She picked up a pen and signed her name at the bottom of the contract.
"By the way, what about the bodyguard who came with me?" Miranda asked after signing, suddenly remembering.
Allen took the contract and glanced at it. "He's fine, just in the room next door. The doctor said there's nothing serious. He can be discharged tomorrow."
Miranda breathed a sigh of relief.
Good. At least no one died.
"Mr. Allen, I have a request."
Miranda looked up at him. "I'd like to take a batch of materials first, about two hundred kilograms. When my bodyguard is discharged tomorrow, I'll have him take it directly. The rest can go through regular shipping."
She needed these samples to run the first batch of tests back home. She couldn't afford to waste a moment.
"No problem." Allen agreed readily. "That's a small matter. I'll arrange it. We have plenty in the warehouse."
With that, he checked his watch. "Since there's nothing else, I'll head out. There's still a mess at the mine I need to deal with. You focus on recovering. Let Harrison stay and take care of you."
Allen smiled meaningfully and turned to leave the hospital room.
Less than two minutes after the door closed, Harrison pushed it open carrying a bag of washed fruit.
He seemed to have washed his face. His stubble was shaved, and he'd changed into a clean shirt. Though still somewhat haggard, he looked much better than he had that morning.
"Allen left?"
Harrison set the fruit on the table and took out an apple, beginning to peel it. "What did he say to you?"
"We signed the contract."
Miranda leaned against the headboard, watching his slender fingers skillfully turn the fruit knife. Long strips of peel hung down without breaking.
In their three years of marriage, he'd never peeled her a single apple.
Now that they were divorced, he'd learned to be attentive.
How ironic.
The room fell quiet except for the soft sound of the knife on apple skin.
Miranda took a deep breath and broke the silence.
"Harrison."
Harrison's movements paused. He looked up at her. "What is it?"
"This time... thank you, really, for saving me."
Miranda met his gaze, her tone calm and distant. "Allen was right. You saved my life. I'll remember this debt. When I get back, I'll prepare a proper thank-you gift."
She paused before continuing, "I'm feeling much better now, and the nurses are here. I don't really need someone specifically taking care of me. Your company must be busy. You can go handle your business. You don't need to stay here."
Harrison's hand stopped peeling completely.
He set down the knife and apple, pulled out a tissue and methodically wiped his hands, then stood and walked step by step toward the bed.
A sense of pressure came with him.
Miranda instinctively shrank back, her heart tightening.
She didn't want any more entanglement with him. She'd already drawn clear boundaries.
But at this crucial moment, he'd become her lifesaver.
This forced her previously hardened defenses to crack open, making room for this heavy debt of gratitude.
Emotionally, she deeply resisted this connection.
She just wanted to use the simplest, most direct method—money—to settle this debt and owe each other nothing.
"You're kicking me out?"
Harrison looked at her, his voice low. "Miranda, I stayed by your side for a day and a night, and you're this eager to get rid of me?"
Miranda felt flustered under his gaze and turned her head away. "I'm not kicking you out. I just don't think it's necessary. We're divorced. Staying in one hospital room isn't appropriate."
"Besides, I don't like owing people."
She looked at him again, her eyes determined. "How much money do you need? Or is there something business-related where you need concessions? As long as I can do it, I'll agree to it. Consider it repaying my debt for saving my life."
"I don't want money." Harrison cut her off.
"Then what do you want?" Miranda asked reflexively.
What did he want?
He didn't even know himself.
Looking at the woman on the hospital bed—pale-faced but with cold, distant eyes—Harrison knew clearly that if his request was too excessive, she would only hate him more.
But he just didn't want to see Miranda treating him so coldly.
"Harrison?" Seeing him silent, Miranda prompted.
After nearly a minute, Harrison took a deep breath, his voice low and hoarse. "I want you to have dinner with me for a month."
Miranda froze, as if she hadn't heard clearly. "What?"
"I said, I want you to have dinner with me for a month."
"After one month, we'll call your life debt settled."
Miranda's frown deepened, confusion and resistance flashing in her eyes.
Just eating meals?
What kind of repayment was that?
But thinking it over, if it was money or business concessions, someone like Harrison who was born with a silver spoon might not even care.
One month. That was all.
"Fine."
Miranda relaxed her furrowed brow, her tone calm. "I agree."
Harrison's hand, clenched in a fist at his side, loosened slightly. A flash of barely perceptible joy crossed his eyes.
"But I need to rest and recover now. After I return home, I'll keep my promise."
Miranda didn't want to look at him anymore. She turned her head toward the window. "Since we've settled this, please leave. I don't need anyone watching over me. I want to rest."
The dismissal was merciless.
The curve of Harrison's lips stiffened.
"Alright. I won't disturb you."
He looked at her deeply. "I'll arrange for the best caregivers, twenty-four-hour care."
With that, he turned somewhat awkwardly and strode out of the hospital room.
The moment the door closed, Miranda let out a long breath, exhaustion washing over her again.