Chapter192 The Misunderstanding
At the VIP exit.
Christian took off his sunglasses. His eyes, which looked quite a bit like Miranda’s, held a sharp, searching glint.
He didn't beat around the bush. He looked Clifton straight in the eye and asked, "Are you here to pick up Miranda?"
This question was a test. It was also the last chance he was giving Clifton.
If Clifton said yes, Christian could force himself to believe that the scene he just witnessed was only a misunderstanding, no matter how much it bothered him.
Clifton sat in his wheelchair. Facing Christian’s questioning gaze, he showed no signs of guilt.
However, he wasn't the type to lie.
After two seconds of silence, Clifton spoke. "I didn't know what time Miranda’s flight was."
Those words felt like a bucket of ice water poured over Christian’s heart.
As her husband, his wife had been away for days, yet he didn't even know when she was coming back?
Instead, he was here in high spirits to pick up another woman?
Christian took a deep breath, suppressing the anger bubbling inside him.
"Clifton."
Christian’s voice dropped. He sounded more serious and stern than ever before. "The Lancasters might not be as powerful as the Prescotts, but Miranda is still our family’s treasure. My mother and I have protected her since she was a child."
"I expect you to treat my sister well. If you don't love her anymore, or if you want to end things, please just tell us directly."
He paused for a moment.
"Miranda might look fragile, but she is stubborn. She is not the type to cling to someone who doesn't want her. If you want to be with someone else, she will walk away completely. She won't cause you any trouble."
Listening to this, Clifton’s fingers tightened slightly on his lap.
Specifically, the phrase "walk away completely" made him feel a strange sense of irritation.
He looked up to meet Christian’s eyes. His face darkened, and his tone became stiff.
"I have no such intention."
Christian let out a cold laugh. He pointed toward the direction Isabella had gone. "If you have no such intention, then control the people around you. Keep your distance from other women."
"Miranda’s flight is about to land."
"If she walks out and sees her husband at the airport just to pick up another woman, and that woman is acting all cozy with you..."
Christian stopped. His voice was laced with bitterness on behalf of his sister.
"Clifton, have you ever thought about how that would make her feel?"
Christian’s words presented a perspective Clifton had never considered.
He thought about how his grandfather had ordered him to pick up Isabella today. It just so happened that Miranda was on a flight at the same time.
A wave of displeasure at being manipulated rose in his chest.
Clifton usually never bothered to explain himself, but he looked Christian in the eye and spoke.
"That woman is the daughter of a Prescott family friend. I have zero interest in her."
Christian was stunned for a second.
Clifton continued seriously. "I didn't know Miranda was on this flight. Now that I know, I will wait for her with you."
Hearing this, Christian’s tense jaw finally relaxed a little.
Miranda had already been hurt once in a relationship. As her brother, he couldn't let her fall into another mess.
Since Clifton was showing the right attitude, Christian realized he might have been too impulsive.
Christian took a deep breath and nodded at Clifton.
"I’m sorry."
Christian’s voice softened with a hint of apology. "I misunderstood you just now. My tone was out of line."
"It’s fine."
Clifton’s expression was calm. He tapped his finger lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair. "You are Miranda’s brother. You were worried about her. I understand."
From the angle Christian had been walking from, it really was easy to mistake Isabella’s overstepping for intimacy.
If he saw another man acting that way with Miranda...
Clifton’s eyes darkened. His reaction would likely be much more violent than Christian's.
The tension between the two men vanished. It was replaced by a silent understanding between men.
A few minutes later.
The automatic doors at the exit slowly slid open.
Miranda walked out, pushing a silver suitcase and chatting happily with Castillo.
After three days of relaxing by the sea, her pale complexion had regained a healthy glow. She looked stunning.
"Christian!"
Miranda spotted the tall, handsome figure in the crowd immediately. Her eyes lit up. She waved and started to run over.
But in the next second, she froze.
Clifton was there too?
Miranda’s heart skipped a beat. A spark of sweetness she didn't even notice herself flickered in her heart.
However, that feeling was shattered as soon as the four of them reached the parking lot.
Isabella was standing by the car.
Miranda gave a self-deprecating smile. So, Clifton wasn't here for her.
Of course. He didn't even know her flight details.
He must have come to pick up Isabella. He probably only stayed because he ran into her brother.
Miranda took a deep breath. She forced down the bitter jealousy in her chest. A polite smile returned to her face, though it didn't reach her eyes.
Christian spoke up.
"Miranda, Clifton came to pick you up. Why don't you go back with him?"
He said this to make sure his sister didn't overthink things.
Miranda nodded. "Okay."
After saying goodbye to Christian and Castillo, Clifton steered his wheelchair toward the car with Miranda.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was suffocating.
Miranda stared out the window at the passing scenery, saying nothing.
Clifton glanced at her. Seeing her tense profile and her cold, distant attitude made him feel frustrated.
He opened his mouth to break the silence.
But Isabella spoke first, shattering the quiet.
"Miranda, if I knew you were coming back today, I would have waited at the exit with Clifton for you."
It sounded like a polite remark, but it was a clear jab. She was telling Miranda that Clifton came for her, that seeing the brother was a coincidence, and that she and Clifton were the ones who belonged together.
That subtle claim of ownership made Miranda’s stomach turn.
She turned her head and looked coldly at Isabella.
"It is quite strange that your family didn't arrange a driver for you and you have to use a Prescott car. Since you're a guest, it’s only right that you wait for me, the lady of the house."
Miranda was no pushover. If someone slapped her in the face, she was going to hit back.
Clifton felt a hint of amusement at Miranda’s words.
He didn't realize she could be so sharp, like a little hedgehog. It was good. At least she wouldn't let herself be bullied.
He looked at Isabella. His voice was ice cold.
"Say one more word and you can get out of the car."
Isabella looked at Clifton in disbelief. Her lips trembled, but she didn't dare make another sound.
She never expected Clifton to humiliate her like this in front of the driver just for Miranda.
She grit her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment.
She had already had someone check.
That man was Christian, Miranda’s biological brother.
She just needed to add a little more fuel to the fire. She would make sure Miranda and Clifton ended up hating each other.