Chapter201 Misunderstanding Resolved
The next day, the first thing Miranda felt when she opened her eyes was exhaustion.
Her waist ached, her legs ached. Every inch of her body felt like it had been run over by a truck, screaming with soreness.
She tried to shift her position, but immediately a strong, powerful arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into a scorching embrace.
Miranda froze instantly, her body pressed seamlessly against a solid, warm chest.
The man's crisp, pleasant scent mixed with last night's lingering traces of passion, wrapping around her completely.
Just seconds later.
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
She could clearly feel that Clifton's sleeping part had woken up with vigor, pressing against her through the thin silk sheets with aggressive intent.
This guy...
Miranda felt both embarrassed and annoyed. If she remembered correctly, by the time they finally stopped, the sky outside had already brightened.
Her waist felt fragile now, absolutely unable to withstand another round of Clifton's recklessness.
She couldn't help but reach out, gently pushing against Clifton's chest.
"Mmm."
The man let out a satisfied sigh. Not only did he not let go, he pulled her even tighter.
His deep, husky voice, carrying that uniquely lazy sexiness of early morning, drifted down from above her head.
"Don't move."
Two words, commanding in tone, yet tinged with a pampered satisfaction.
Miranda's voice was hoarse. "I... I need to use the bathroom."
At those words, Clifton finally moved.
He slowly opened his eyes. Last night's surging crimson desire had faded.
He released his arm and smoothly rolled out of bed, then stood beside it, bare-chested, looking down at Miranda with his hand extended.
His bronze skin was covered with ambiguous scratch marks and bite marks left from last night's frenzy.
Miranda blinked, confused by his gesture.
Clifton's lips curved slightly. "I'll carry you."
"No need!" Miranda blurted out.
After speaking, she hastily threw back the covers and, ignoring the soreness throughout her body, swung her bare legs over the side of the bed.
However, the moment her toes touched the cool carpet...
Her legs gave out.
Her whole body pitched forward uncontrollably.
"Ah!"
Miranda cried out softly, but the expected pain never came.
Clifton moved with lightning speed, his long arm reaching out to scoop her up horizontally in one smooth motion.
The man's low laughter rumbled in her ear, his vibrating chest making her heart flutter.
"Your legs are weak and you still try to be stubborn."
Miranda felt both embarrassed and angry. She couldn't help but look up and glare at him fiercely.
She screamed silently in her mind: My legs are weak because you had no self-control!
Seeing her expression, the amusement in Clifton's eyes deepened.
At the spacious vanity, Clifton set her down steadily.
The moment Miranda's feet touched the ground, she quickly broke free from his embrace and stepped back two paces.
"I'm fine now. You can leave!"
She reached out with both hands and pushed Clifton forcefully toward the door.
Clifton's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he said nothing, letting her push him out.
The bathroom door clicked shut.
Clifton stood outside, raising his hand to touch the slightly painful bite marks and ambiguous red marks the woman had left on his body. The corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted.
He turned and grabbed a clean set of loungewear from the closet, heading to another guest bathroom.
The sound of running water filled the air.
Miranda stood under the shower, warm water washing over her tired body, gradually clearing her chaotic thoughts.
She still hadn't talked things through with Clifton.
Everything that happened last night had completely disrupted her original plan.
The problems still existed.
She couldn't keep facing them with coldness and avoidance like before.
Her teacher's words still echoed in her ears: the most frightening thing in relationships is suspicion.
What if he really would stand by her side?
Thinking this, an expectation she hadn't even noticed rose in Miranda's heart.
Clifton's hair was still damp, only a towel wrapped around his waist as he returned to the bedroom to find Miranda already dressed, sitting on the edge of the bed as if waiting for him.
Seeing him enter, Miranda stood up abruptly and walked quickly toward him.
Due to their height difference, she had to tilt her head slightly to see his expression clearly.
"Clifton."
She took a deep breath, as if gathering enormous courage, her eyes clear and determined.
"I'm sorry."
Clifton paused in drying his hair, looking at her intently.
Miranda didn't avoid his gaze, continuing, "That day... when I suddenly said I'd sleep in the guest room, it was partly because my brother had a car accident and I felt terrible, completely overwhelmed."
She paused, lowering her voice slightly.
"And partly because at the hospital, I overheard someone say that you had arranged my brother's accident."
The moment Miranda finished her second sentence, the pressure around Clifton dropped to freezing.
However, before he could react, Miranda's next words were like warm sunshine, instantly melting all his displeasure.
"Clifton," Miranda's tone was extremely serious, "even though I found out that the hit-and-run driver used to work for Prescott, and my brother's accident might actually be connected to Prescott."
"But I believe you didn't do it."
Those words struck Clifton's heart, dispelling all the gloom that had just risen.
Miranda's voice continued, filled with deep apology. "I'm sorry. I just didn't think it through at the time. I only wanted to escape, so I... I treated you that way."
"Last night, I actually wanted to explain everything to you, but..."
Even without Miranda finishing, Clifton understood.
Last night, she'd been too busy helping him with the drug's effects to discuss anything else.
Clifton's tall frame leaned forward slightly. He raised his hand, his calloused fingertips gently caressing the woman's delicate cheek with incredible tenderness.
"I understand." His voice carried a soothing power.
"Send me everything you've found. I absolutely won't let your brother suffer this harm for nothing."
"Trust me, okay?"
Their eyes met.
In the man's unfathomable gaze, Miranda saw determination. The last trace of unease and doubt in her heart dissipated.
She nodded firmly, her eyes slightly red.
"Okay."
That morning, Miranda left Prescott for her company.
Clifton sat at his study desk, his expression cold and stern.
His assistant answered the internal line almost instantly. "President."
Clifton's voice was icy as he ordered, "Investigate Christian's car accident. Use every available resource. Dig up every detail about that hit-and-run driver, including bank statements, call records, and everyone he had contact with."
He paused, a terrifying murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
"Once you find everything, send all the information to my email immediately."