Chapter30 Her Past Preferences
After the speech at the school auditorium ended completely, Miranda and Stella met backstage. She briefly explained what had happened when she was trapped in the restroom.
After listening, Stella's smile instantly vanished.
"Such a terrible thing happened!" His face darkened with anger. "If you hadn't gotten out in time, missing the speech would be minor, but what about your safety? Miranda, rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this and give you an answer."
Miranda felt warmth in her heart and was about to speak when a voice interrupted from the side.
"Stella, Miranda, what are you two talking about?"
Ariana wore a proper smile on her face.
She knew that although Stella was just a university professor, he had substantial family wealth and considerable connections in C City's business circles. Making his acquaintance could help her in the future.
However, remembering what had happened backstage earlier, Stella's attitude toward Ariana was much more distant. He simply nodded, his tone aloof. "Nothing much."
Then he turned to Miranda, his expression immediately warming again. "Miranda, come on, let me introduce you to a few old professors from our department. They've been asking about you for ages."
With that, he led Miranda away.
Watching their close figures receding, Ariana's smile nearly crumbled, her nails digging deep into her palms.
Why?
Why did everyone side with Miranda?
She just happened to be lucky, did slightly better academically back in school. Why did Stella treat her so differently?
"Ariana?" Harrison had just finished talking to someone and now arrived backstage. "What's wrong?"
Ariana snapped back to reality, her eyes instantly reddening as tears rolled down her cheeks, looking extremely aggrieved.
"Harrison..." Her voice choked with grievance. "I think I said something wrong just now."
"Miranda almost arrived late today. I was just worried about her and wanted to fill in for her on stage to help out, but she said I had bad intentions."
She sniffled, looking at Harrison through teary eyes. "Just now when I came over, I also wanted to explain to Stella and ask him some work-related questions."
"But Stella, he... after hearing what Miranda said, he wouldn't even talk to me much."
Seeing her aggrieved appearance, Harrison frowned deeply.
He reached out and gently wiped away the tears on Ariana's face, saying in a low voice, "Don't overthink it. This has nothing to do with you."
His gaze grew colder, his tone full of displeasure. "No matter the reason, being late was Miranda's mistake. You were being considerate of her, and instead of appreciating it, she badmouths you in front of the professor. She's in the wrong."
"But Stella seems really angry with me." Ariana bit her lower lip.
"He's just a university professor." Harrison patted the back of her hand reassuringly. "I know plenty of well-known professors. I'll help you make connections another day and introduce you to some who carry more weight than him."
A flash of triumph quickly crossed Ariana's eyes, but her face showed only surprise and excitement. "Thank you, Harrison. You're so good to me."
She paused, then continued, "What about Miranda? She must think I was trying to steal her speaking opportunity. Should I go apologize to her now and clear things up?"
"No need!" Harrison refused without hesitation, his tone showing undisguised protectiveness. "She's the one who did wrong. She should be apologizing to you."
How had he never realized before that Miranda was so arrogant and domineering behind the scenes? This divorce was definitely the right choice.
Harrison continued comforting Ariana.
This gentleness and patience were something Miranda had never witnessed during their three years of marriage. Now he was giving it all unreservedly to another woman.
Meanwhile, in the lounge, Miranda's phone vibrated gently. It was a message from Clifton.
[I have something urgent and left the school first. Come back to the hotel on your own after you're done.]
She looked at the screen, her fingertips moving slightly, replying with just one word.
[Okay.]
Stella was enthusiastically introducing her to several professors with graying hair. Among them, one who appeared to be in her fifties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses with an elegant and distinguished bearing, grasped Miranda's hand and smiled warmly.
"Miranda, we meet again."
"Professor Wood." Miranda addressed her respectfully.
This was Professor Zara Wood from the medical school back then.
Zara looked her up and down, her gaze full of admiration and a barely perceptible regret. "You've become even more outstanding."
"But I still feel it's such a pity. Your talent in medicine back then was recognized by all the professors in the school."
"That's all in the past now, and thank you for your guidance back then, Zara."
"Ah," Zara patted the back of her hand, speaking sincerely. "Have you thought about studying medicine recently? My door will always be open to you."
Miranda's heart stirred. After hesitating for a few seconds, she ultimately smiled and shook her head. "Thank you, professor, but our family company isn't doing well right now. My brother is working too hard alone, and I need to help him."
Zara sighed but didn't press further. "Good child, so responsible. Remember what I said, if you change your mind, come find me anytime."
"I will, professor."
After leaving the lounge, Miranda walked alone along the tree-lined campus path. The autumn wind swept up a few fallen leaves, carrying a desolate chill.
Zara's words were like a key, unlocking memories she had sealed away long ago.
What she loved most was actually medicine.
But back when she had earned the qualification to pursue graduate studies and was preparing to advance in the medical field, her father had talked to her.
Her father said she and Harrison were about to get married, that she needed to learn to share Harrison's burdens and learn to manage Whitmore and Lancaster companies.
So she gave up graduate school, gave up the medicine she loved, and instead studied economics and management, which she wasn't good at.
She thought she was paving the way for her marriage, planning for her own future.
Looking back now, the man for whom she had abandoned her dreams had never had her in his heart from the beginning.
Still, she didn't regret it.
If she hadn't changed majors, now that Lancaster Group was facing crisis, she probably would be like a useless person, only able to watch helplessly as her brother struggled alone, unable to help at all.
At least now, what she had learned could help the family members she truly cared about.
That was enough.
From the school back to the hotel, the sky had already darkened.
Remembering that Clifton had helped her today, Miranda specially borrowed the hotel's kitchen, deciding to personally cook a meal to thank him.
Preparing ingredients, cooking, plating.
She put in extra effort, making each dish according to Clifton's preferred tastes.
Finally, after finishing everything and setting it on the table, just as she was about to ask when Clifton would be back, her phone received a message.
However, after opening it, Miranda discovered it wasn't from Clifton.
The sender was Ariana.
She clicked it open, and a photo immediately filled the screen.
The background of the photo was an elegantly styled Western restaurant. Harrison was bowing his head, his expression focused as he cut steak for the woman across from him, his eyes gentle.
Below the photo was a line of provocative text.
[Miranda, I'm so sorry. Harrison said to make up for the grievance I suffered today, he's specially taking me to a candlelight dinner.]