Chapter82 If You Break It, What Will You Use Later?
Clifton's voice wasn't loud, but it stirred cold ripples in Miranda's heart.
Just as she thought.
This answer didn't surprise Miranda, only deepened the chill in her heart.
Clifton saw her suddenly frozen expression, a trace of heartache flashing in his eyes. His voice grew heavy: "Focus on recovering. Leave this matter to me."
But Miranda almost instinctively shook her head: "No need."
Two words, light as a feather, yet like a bucket of cold water instantly extinguishing the warmth that had just risen in the man's eyes.
Clifton's brows furrowed even tighter. The pressure around him dropped sharply. Those bottomless eyes locked on her tightly, as if brewing a storm.
"Miranda," he almost ground out her name through his teeth, "do you have to draw such clear lines with me?"
Seeing the undisguised anger on the man's handsome face, Miranda's heart jumped. She quickly explained: "No, that's not what I meant."
Afraid he'd misunderstand, she hurriedly added: "I also suspected it was her, just didn't have evidence. Don't worry, I won't let this go."
She raised her eyes. Those pupils, slightly dimmed from blood loss, now rekindled with sharp light.
"I've already had Lisa contact the legal department to handle those online trolls. As for the mud Ariana threw at me, I've already figured out how to throw it back."
Miranda's tone was calm but carried undeniable strength.
"Ariana went to such lengths to spread rumors about me simply to smear me in front of Harrison so she could rise up. But I won't let her have her way."
She wouldn't actively scheme against others, but since someone had already put a knife to her throat, being soft-hearted would be foolish.
Clifton watched her quietly.
Watched as her cool eyes ignited with fighting spirit when discussing her counterattack plan, her whole person radiating dazzling brilliance, even her pale face becoming vivid.
He discovered that the inexplicable anger in his heart had somehow quietly dissipated.
Even he himself hadn't noticed that the corners of his mouth had curved into an extremely faint smile of appreciation.
Miranda didn't notice his expression change. Seeing he still didn't speak, thinking he was still angry, she softened her tone with a hint of barely perceptible pleading.
"Let me handle this myself, okay? I promise, if I really can't solve it in the end, you'll be the first person I ask for help."
Clifton's Adam's apple moved slightly. He finally hummed in response, pulled over a nearby chair and sat down, crossing his legs in an attentive posture.
"Fine." His tone slightly rose. "But I need to hear your plan first."
Just as Miranda was about to speak, Castillo's loud voice suddenly came from the corridor outside.
"Don't worry, doctor, I'll definitely make sure she takes her medicine on time. That girl is most afraid of pain..."
Castillo was back.
Miranda's nerves instantly tensed. She whipped her head around, her gaze falling on Clifton. He wasn't wearing his mask or sitting in a wheelchair, just sitting there brazenly.
"Oh no!"
Without time to think, almost instinctively, she reached out, grabbed Clifton's arm, and pushed and shoved him toward the bathroom.
"Castillo's back. Quick, hide in there. Don't let her see you."
Her hand pressed tightly against his solid forearm. The muscles beneath her palm instantly tensed. Even through the thin shirt fabric, she could feel that shocking heat.
Watching the woman's face full of tension, like a small animal protecting its food, the amusement in Clifton's eyes deepened. Not only did he not move, he leaned down instead.
Under Miranda's stunned gaze, his thin lips parted slightly and closed around that slender finger she'd pressed to his mouth.
The pressure wasn't heavy. The warm, moist sensation wrapped around her fingertip, carrying a faint electric current.
"You!"
Miranda jumped in fright. Her cheeks "whooshed" and burned. Embarrassed and annoyed, she glared at him, but afraid the person outside would hear, she didn't dare pull her hand away or speak loudly.
Just then, with a "click," the ward door was pushed open.
Castillo walked in carrying a water cup and medicine. Seeing the empty bed, she froze: "Huh? Miranda, where are you?"
Her gaze swept straight toward the bathroom.
Miranda's heart jumped to her throat. She quickly called out: "I, I'm here, in the bathroom!"
"Oh, okay." Castillo didn't suspect anything, put down her things and walked over. "Your legs aren't convenient. Do you need help?"
"No, no need." Miranda's voice had changed pitch. "I'll be right out."
"Okay, I'll wait for you here." Castillo said and sat down on the sofa outside.
Inside the bathroom, Miranda was on the verge of tears. She lowered her voice, using a breath-voice to accuse the culprit in front of her: "What do we do? This is all your fault. Why didn't you come in a wheelchair? We almost got caught that your injury is fake."
Clifton watched her nearly stamping her feet in anxiety, finding it amusing.
When he'd received the news that she was injured and hospitalized, his mind was full of her injuries. How could he think about disguises?
Moreover, as the Prescott heir, the people who'd seen his true appearance could be counted on one hand. He didn't consider it a big deal at all.
Seeing him not only not anxious but even with a teasing smile at the corner of his mouth, Miranda's anger flared. Her free hand reached over and pinched hard at his firm waist.
The suddenly tightening muscles in the man's abdomen made her fingertips tremble.
Just as she was racking her brain trying to figure out how to sneak Clifton out, a strange sensation suddenly came from her lower abdomen.
Something hard and scorching was pressing undeniably against her soft belly.
Miranda's mind went blank instantly. She looked down in shock, her gaze dropping...
"You!" Her face instantly flushed bright red, as if blood would drip out. Angry and anxious, she raised her hand to hit him. "Clifton! At a time like this, how can you, how can you..."
Clifton grunted, caught her misbehaving hand, leaned down close to her ear, his hot breath spraying on her sensitive earlobe, his voice ridiculously hoarse.
"Gently."
He paused, his tone carrying bewitching magnetism.
"If you break it, what will you use later?"
This blatantly suggestive remark made Miranda's body instantly freeze, her brain completely crashing.
This man, how could he be so shameless.
"Don't talk nonsense." She retorted in embarrassment, but her voice was soft and powerless, lacking any威慑力.
"Miranda?" Outside, Castillo's puzzled voice sounded again. "Are you done? I think I heard someone else talking in there?"
Miranda jolted, hurriedly calling out loudly: "No, no one. I'll be right out."
Clifton watched her unconsciously stand on one leg from nervousness, her other injured leg slightly curled up. The teasing in his eyes instantly faded, replaced by a dark look.
Without showing any emotion, he pulled out his phone, lowered his eyes and quickly sent a message.
Just when Miranda was about to go crazy with anxiety, knocking suddenly came from outside, followed by a nurse's voice: "Castillo? A man is looking for you. Says he's your brother."
"Huh? My brother?" Castillo's voice carried confusion. "Okay, I'll be right there."
While walking out, she didn't forget to remind Miranda in the bathroom to remember to take her medicine when she came out.
Footsteps gradually faded. Finally came the soft sound of the ward door closing.
Miranda let out a long breath of relief. She turned to look at Clifton, her beautiful eyes narrowing.
"You did that?"