Chapter159 The Equestrian Club
Three days later.
The company project was progressing smoothly. At this rate, it would officially launch within the expected timeframe.
Miranda snapped the signed documents shut with a crisp sound and let out a long breath.
Her phone vibrated at that moment.
The screen displayed "Castillo" in large letters.
"Hello?" Miranda answered, her voice still carrying traces of her professional efficiency.
"Are you free?" Castillo's voice came through. "The weather's so nice today. Want to get out and breathe some fresh air?"
Miranda glanced out the window. Indeed, the sun was shining brightly, unlike the dreary rain of recent days.
"Where to?"
"The equestrian club." Castillo sounded excited. "I just got a new membership. I heard they brought in some thoroughbreds. Want to go for a ride?"
Miranda rubbed her temples. These past few days of intense mental work had left her feeling tense.
Horseback riding would be a great way to decompress.
"Alright, see you at the club."
After hanging up, Miranda quickly gathered her things and left with her bag.
The Equestrian Club.
The air was filled with the faint scent of grass.
Miranda and Castillo changed into riding attire in the locker room.
Miranda chose a black riding outfit. The tailored cut perfectly accentuated her slender waist. She wore tall riding boots, her long hair pulled up high, her entire presence radiating a sharp, striking beauty.
"Wow."
Castillo circled around her while putting on her gloves. "With your figure and presence, you're going to turn heads when we go out there."
"Always joking around." Miranda laughed and patted her shoulder. "Come on, let's go pick our horses."
The two chatted and laughed as they headed toward the stables.
Just as they turned the corner, they ran straight into a man and woman.
Ariana was nestled against the man's side, her arm linked with Harrison's. He wore a white casual suit, but his features showed signs of exhaustion.
The smile on Castillo's face instantly froze. She rolled her eyes dramatically, thinking how her good mood was ruined by running into this disgusting pair.
She tugged on Miranda's sleeve. "Miranda, should we come back later?"
Miranda's expression showed no change, as indifferent as if looking at strangers on the street.
"It's fine."
She adjusted the edge of her gloves, her tone calm. "I've moved on. Harrison means nothing to me now, no different from a stranger. Let's go pick our horses."
The two prepared to walk past without a glance.
"Miranda?"
A surprised voice rang out.
Ariana pulled Harrison over.
"What a coincidence running into you and Castillo here."
Though Ariana's words sounded warm, she was cursing internally.
Damn it!
What was that bitch Miranda doing here?
These past few days, Whitmore Group had been targeted. Several projects had fallen through, the cash flow was tight, and Harrison had been furious at the company, completely overwhelmed.
She'd gone to great lengths to finally coax Harrison out to relax, hoping to take the opportunity to strengthen their relationship.
And now this! They run into Miranda the moment they step out!
Looking at Miranda's sharp riding outfit, her glowing complexion, especially that confident, radiant demeanor that drew people's eyes...
Jealousy gnawed at Ariana's heart like a venomous snake.
"Not a coincidence."
Miranda glanced at her coldly. "You can pretend not to know me. I'm not particularly keen on seeing you either."
The smile on Ariana's face froze for a moment. She bit her lower lip pitifully and shrank back behind Harrison.
"Miranda, how can you say that? I was just trying to say hello."
She silently fumed. Miranda could pretend not to see her, but she had to perform this sisterly affection act in front of Harrison.
Otherwise, it would definitely ruin her image in Harrison's eyes.
Harrison's gaze fell directly on Miranda, his expression complex.
The old Miranda had always worn gentle, elegant dresses and often cooked for him in the kitchen.
But now she was vibrant and sharp, like a pearl wiped clean of dust, so dazzling you couldn't look away.
In these few days since he'd last seen her, she seemed to be doing even better.
Meanwhile, he was drowning in company problems, completely overwhelmed.
A strong sense of loss and bitter regret surged in his heart.
"Miranda." Harrison's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Are you here to ride too? Why don't we go together?"
Hearing Harrison invite Miranda, Ariana stood beside him, fingers clenched, terrified Miranda would seduce Harrison.
"Miranda, I heard from Uncle that he introduced you to someone for an arranged marriage?" she brought up, seemingly casually.
"How's the guy? When are you two planning to get married?"
She deliberately said this for Harrison to hear.
She figured if Miranda was getting into an arranged marriage, what was there to miss about a woman like that?
Sure enough, Harrison's expression changed instantly upon hearing this.
"Arranged marriage?"
His brow furrowed tightly, his eyes suddenly turning dark as he stared at Miranda. "You're getting into an arranged marriage? With whom?"
He'd been so busy with company matters these past few days, he had no idea about the Lancaster family's affairs.
Thinking that the woman who once belonged to him would now marry another man for profit, Harrison felt an inexplicable rage burning inside.
"Miranda, how long has it even been since your divorce and you're already getting married again?"
Harrison's voice carried barbs, that superior, possessive attitude nauseating.
Miranda looked at the pair before her and found it laughable.
She hadn't even gone looking for trouble with this cheating scumbag and his mistress, yet here they were, making a scene in front of her.
"Harrison."
Miranda laughed coldly, her gaze looking at him like he was an idiot. "Whether I get married or not, and to whom, doesn't seem to be any of my ex-husband's business, does it?"
"What gives you the right to question me?"
"Or is it..." Her gaze swept over Ariana beside him, her tone mocking. "You just like having your cake and eating it too? Want what's in front of you but can't bear to give up something better?"
Harrison was left speechless, his face alternating between shades of red and white.
Seeing this, Ariana quickly spoke up. "Miranda, don't be angry. Harrison's just concerned about you, that's why he's asking."
"Ha!" Miranda scoffed. "As long as you two don't bother me, I'll be just fine."
With that, she took Castillo's hand. "Let's go pick our horses."
The two had just turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Harrison stepped forward in a few strides, blocking their path.
He glanced around. Though the club was large, it was still a public space, and there were quite a few people around at the moment.
"Just you two women riding alone isn't safe. Since we've run into each other, let's go together."
Looking at Harrison's presumptuous face, Miranda couldn't help but wonder if she'd been blind when she married him.
When they were married, he'd been ambiguous with other women. Now divorced, he kept pestering his ex-wife. Was he sick?
"Get lost. Don't block the way." Miranda's voice turned cold.
Seeing Miranda about to leave, Ariana felt pleased and continued stirring up trouble.
"Harrison, Miranda's getting into an arranged marriage soon. If the other party finds out Miranda's still in contact with you, it would be bad for her. You should be more considerate."
Miranda, who had already taken a step forward, stopped at these words.
She wondered, would Dominic specifically tell Ariana about wanting her to enter an arranged marriage?
Or was it that...
The idea of making her enter an arranged marriage was actually Ariana's suggestion? How else to explain why she knew so much about it!