Chapter156 You Want to Marry My Wife?
Hearing the woman's words and observing the situation before him, Clifton had already figured out most of what was happening.
Forced marriage? Threats?
Hah. Bold of them.
He slowly raised his head, his deep eyes like an abyss, staring coldly at Carter standing across from him.
"You want to marry my wife?"
The man's voice was low and hoarse, yet carried a bone-chilling authority.
Dominic frowned, looking Clifton up and down.
Cheap clothes. Besides being tall and muscular, there was nothing special about him.
A trace of contempt flashed in Dominic's eyes.
Just a lowly cop. This type could be bought off with a bit of money. Nothing to fear.
What neither Miranda nor Dominic knew was that while Dominic had never seen the Prescott heir, Carter had.
Two years ago, at an exclusive private reception, Carter had caught a distant glimpse of this man.
At that time, Clifton had sat in the seat of honor, surrounded by powerful figures who were normally untouchable, all showing him utmost respect.
The nobility and ruthlessness that emanated from Clifton's very bones was something Carter would never forget.
And now, that man stood right before him.
Though dressed differently, Carter couldn't mistake that face!
The arrogance on Carter's face instantly froze, replaced by terror. Even his pupils contracted momentarily.
"Pres..."
He was about to call out the name when Clifton suddenly narrowed his eyes and made an extremely dangerous sound from his throat.
"Hmm?"
That single syllable made Carter's whole body shudder as he instantly understood Clifton's meaning. He didn't want his identity exposed.
Cold sweat immediately soaked through Carter's back.
He'd been around long enough to know the Prescott heir's temperament. He hated when people interfered with his affairs.
If Carter exposed him today, he probably wouldn't live to see tomorrow.
"No, it's not that." Carter immediately waved his hands and shook his head. "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding."
He explained incoherently, "I never wanted to marry your wife. It was... it was him."
Carter pointed at Dominic. "He's the one who suggested I marry his daughter. I had no idea his daughter was already married."
Dominic was completely confused by this scene. He looked at Carter in disbelief. Carter was afraid of this cop?
Then his brow furrowed as he looked coldly at Clifton.
This man did have some presence, but could presence put food on the table?
A lowly cop, how much could he possibly earn in a month? How could he be worthy of his daughter? How could he bring any benefit to his company and conglomerate?
Utterly ridiculous! He would never allow his daughter to marry someone like this!
Dominic's mind raced.
Even if Miranda was really married, she'd have to divorce this cop today.
With this thought, Dominic took a deep breath and tried to reassure Carter. "Carter, I will never acknowledge this person as my daughter's husband. I..."
"Shut up!"
Hearing Dominic continue to foolishly belittle Clifton, Carter was terrified out of his wits.
"I have other matters to attend to. I'm leaving."
With that, he turned and left, his retreating figure hurried.
The surroundings instantly quieted down. Dominic stood there, his face livid.
Miranda breathed a sigh of relief. Her hand holding Clifton's arm didn't loosen; instead, she gripped it even tighter.
This arm was firm and warm, giving her endless confidence.
Miranda raised her head, her gaze calm and determined as she looked at Dominic.
"Father, now that Carter has left."
Miranda's voice carried a hint of coldness. "I think I've made myself very clear. Marriage is a personal freedom. I have the right to choose my own husband and the right to refuse your arrangements."
"Besides, you wouldn't want a scandal about forced marriage to actually give my husband work to do, would you? If this matter reaches the police station, Lancaster Group's stock price won't look good either."
"You!"
Dominic was so angry his pointing finger trembled, his chest heaving violently.
"Fine, just fine!"
He glared venomously at Clifton. "Miranda, you'd rather marry this penniless nobody than listen to my arrangements? You'll regret this!"
With that, Dominic snorted coldly and left.
Watching his angry retreating figure, Miranda's tense body finally relaxed completely.
An indescribable bitterness welled up in her heart.
It was the complete death of familial affection.
"Thank you."
Miranda released Clifton's arm, lowering her head somewhat embarrassedly, her voice muffled. "Sorry for the trouble. Thank you for playing along with me."
Clifton turned his head, looking at the woman's slightly reddened eyes and her shoulders that still trembled slightly from the earlier confrontation.
A dark light flashed through the man's deep eyes.
He raised his hand and naturally smoothed back a strand of hair by her ear, his fingertips brushing against her cool cheek.
"It's over now. Let's go home."
Clifton's voice was low and reassuring.
Miranda suddenly looked up at him. "By the way, did I interfere with your mission? If you're busy, you can leave first. I can get home on my own later."
She didn't want to affect his work because of her.
Clifton looked down, his words brief. "No. The mission already ended."
The rain continued falling, pattering against the café's glass windows, blurring the outside world.
The two got into the car the driver had brought over.
The car interior was very quiet, only the rhythmic sound of the windshield wipers.
Miranda turned her head to watch the rapidly retreating street scenes outside, saying nothing.
The glass window reflected her face and those eyes hiding her thoughts.
Actually, ever since that time in the bedroom closet when she'd accidentally discovered that toy he'd retrieved, Miranda had realized her feelings.
She had feelings for Clifton.
Not just because he'd saved her, but because she was drawn to everything about this man.
But today...
Miranda's hand on her lap tightly gripped her skirt.
In front of someone she liked, he'd witnessed such a mortifying scene.
Her own biological father, forcing his daughter into an arranged marriage, even trying to use her to gain so-called family benefits.
That naked calculation and coldness felt like her dignity had been shattered and laid bare before this man.
Thinking back on it now, the bitterness surged like waves, one after another, blocking her throat painfully.
She felt so pathetic.
Just as Miranda was immersed in feelings of inferiority and distress...
Suddenly, her shoulder felt heavy.
A warm, broad hand steadily landed on her shoulder.
Miranda's whole body stiffened. She instinctively turned her head.
At some point, Clifton had turned to face her, those pitch-black, deep eyes quietly watching her, his gaze carrying only a reassuring steadiness.
"What are you thinking about?" the man asked in a low voice.
Miranda shook her head, her voice very soft. "Nothing."
Looking at her like this, Clifton's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
His other hand naturally reached over to the storage compartment and picked up a cup, holding it out to her.
Miranda froze for a moment, then instinctively reached out to take it.
It was warm to the touch.
A cup of coffee.
And it was from her favorite shop, their signature blend.
Miranda looked up at him in surprise. "When did you buy this?"
"Had the driver pick it up on the way here," Clifton said. "I remembered you like this flavor."
Such a simple sentence, yet it was like a pebble thrown into the lake of Miranda's heart, creating ripples.
The warmth from her palm continuously transmitted through her, flowing through her blood to her limbs, dispelling the chill she'd caught at the café earlier.
Miranda tightened her grip on the coffee, a hint of laughter coloring her voice.
"It's delicious."