Chapter95 Giving Her One Last Chance to Explain
The doctor adjusted his glasses, looking at Miranda's anxious face, and spoke in a steady, reassuring tone.
"Miranda, don't worry. The patient had a sudden fainting spell. From the initial examination, her vital signs are stable, and we haven't found any major organic lesions."
"As for the specific cause, we still need to conduct more detailed investigations."
Hearing that her mother's life wasn't in danger, Miranda's taut nerves suddenly relaxed.
She took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay, thank you, doctor."
Just then, Dominic, who had returned from paying the fees, walked in with Harrison following behind him.
Seeing Miranda's pale face in the hospital room, Dominic's expression remained indifferent.
"Since you're here, stay at the hospital and take good care of your mother." He spoke in a tone bordering on a command.
Miranda's mind was in turmoil at the moment, and she was too tired to argue with him. She just nodded perfunctorily. "Fine."
Seeing his daughter so unusually compliant, Dominic was quite satisfied. He turned to Harrison and said, "Harrison, let's go. We still have a meeting at the company."
"Alright." Harrison responded, casting a complex glance at Miranda before leaving.
Miranda completely ignored the two men, turning instead to pull the doctor aside, carefully inquiring about what symptoms her mother might experience when she woke and various precautions to take.
She rushed about arranging everything. It wasn't until evening that Arabella finally stirred awake.
"Mom, you're awake?" Miranda immediately moved closer, grasping her mother's hand. "How do you feel? Is anything uncomfortable?"
Arabella looked at the dark circles under her daughter's eyes and smiled weakly. "Mom's fine. I just feel like I have no energy."
"Don't hold back if something hurts." Miranda pressed with concern.
"Really, I'm fine," Arabella shook her head and sighed. "I just don't have much appetite. I suddenly want to eat that Japanese restaurant at the end of the street in the north district."
It was a decades-old establishment with excellent food, but it also had strict rules. They served limited portions daily, and if you arrived late, there'd be nothing left.
"Okay, I'll go buy some now." Miranda immediately stood up. "I'll call a caregiver to look after you first."
"Go ahead." Arabella smiled and nodded, watching her daughter's hurried figure with warmth in her eyes.
When Miranda arrived at the restaurant, as expected, the small establishment was packed, with a long queue already formed at the entrance.
Just as she was about to walk to the back of the line, someone in the dining hall called out to her.
"Miranda?"
Miranda looked toward the voice and was surprised to see Harrison. He was sitting by the window with several exquisite dishes on the table.
"Why are you here too?" Miranda was somewhat surprised.
"Meeting a client for business." Harrison stood up, his face showing just the right amount of concern. "How is your mother doing?"
"She's awake, just has no appetite. She wants to eat food from this place." Miranda replied briefly.
Harrison pointed to the empty seat across from him. "Don't wait in line. Sit with me. I'll have the kitchen pack something for you directly. It'll be much faster."
To get her mother fed sooner, Miranda didn't refuse. She thanked him and sat down.
At that moment, on the second-floor corridor, a tall figure was leaning against the railing.
Clifton had just stepped out of a private room for some air when his deep gaze casually swept over the floor below and instantly froze.
In the brightly lit dining hall, Miranda was sitting at the same table as Harrison.
The man said something, and the woman tilted her head slightly. Though her expression wasn't clear, the scene was painfully glaring.
He took out his phone and dialed that familiar number.
Downstairs, Miranda's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered.
"Hello?"
"Are you home?" came the man's low voice from the other end.
Miranda instinctively glanced at the darkening sky outside the window and answered, "Not yet. My mom was hospitalized today. I need to stay at the hospital with her, so I won't be coming home tonight."
"I see."
The call was abruptly ended.
On the second-floor railing, the veins on Clifton's hand gripping the phone bulged prominently.
He stared at the man and woman below, a terrifying coldness flashing in his eyes as he practically ground out two words through his thin lips.
"Liar."
He didn't look again, turning back to the private room.
Inside, the team members were noisily suggesting, "We finally get a day off tomorrow. Should we hit the bar for drinks tonight?"
"Yeah, yeah!" the others immediately responded.
One team member boldly invited Clifton. "Captain, want to come?"
As soon as he spoke, someone beside him elbowed him, making exaggerated faces. "Are you stupid? The captain has a wife now. Of course he has to go home and keep her company. How could he possibly go bar-hopping with us single guys?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Clifton, waiting for his response.
Clifton's lips slowly curved into a smile, but it was cold as ice, completely failing to reach his eyes.
"I'll go."
The bar.
Deafening music and dizzying flashing lights wove together into a web of desire.
Clifton sat alone in the corner of a booth, expressionless as he downed one glass of liquor after another.
The burning liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't suppress the restless fire churning in his chest.
"Captain, don't just drink. That's no fun." A team member sidled over and waved to a voluptuous woman nearby.
A blonde with big waves, dressed revealingly, immediately walked over with a drink, settling seductively next to Clifton.
As soon as the woman approached, an overpowering sweet scent of perfume assaulted him.
Clifton's brow instantly furrowed deeply. The smell was so pungent it made him nauseous.
Unbidden, Miranda's image flashed through his mind. That woman never wore such strong perfume. She always carried the clean, light fragrance of a fresh shower. Very pleasant.
Realizing he was thinking of her at a time like this, Clifton's expression darkened further.
Damn it!
She was probably off doing who knows what with Harrison right now, and here he was thinking about that lying woman!
He grabbed his glass and gulped down another large mouthful.
The woman beside him looked at Clifton's handsome but cold profile, a glint of determination in her eyes.
She brought her glass to her lips, leaning even closer, her red lips parting. "Sir, I know a better way to drink. Want to try?"
The pungent perfume smell grew even stronger. Clifton's expression completely darkened. Without even turning his head, his voice was cold enough to drop ice shards.
"Get lost."
The woman's seductive smile froze. Meeting the man's eyes, devoid of warmth and even carrying a murderous aura, she shuddered in fear. Not daring to linger, she immediately grabbed her drink and fled.
Late at night, Prescott Manor.
Clifton, back in his disguise, wheeled himself into the bedroom.
Looking at the pitch-black, empty bedroom, an inexplicable irritation rose in him, making his chest feel stuffy and uncomfortable.
Early the next morning, Miranda dragged her exhausted body back to the manor.
She had just entered the living room when she saw Clifton sitting on the sofa.
Clifton looked up, his gaze falling on her face, taking in the dark circles she couldn't hide, and spoke in a low voice. "What were you doing last night?"
He thought he'd give this woman one last chance to explain.
As long as she told the truth.
Miranda opened her mouth, about to answer, when her phone rang abruptly in her pocket.
It was a call from the hospital.
She quickly answered, speaking a few urgent words into the phone before finally responding, "Okay, I'll come right away."
Hanging up, Miranda looked at Clifton, her face showing both apology and urgency. "There's a situation with my mom. I need to get back immediately. For the next week or so, I probably won't be able to come home."
After speaking, without waiting for Clifton's response, she hurried upstairs.
"Let me go pack some clothes first."
She completely failed to notice that behind her, the man on the sofa had grown colder inch by inch, the pressure around him dropping to a terrifying level.
A few minutes later, when Miranda came back downstairs, she was carrying a small suitcase.
Just as she was about to leave, Clifton's icy voice suddenly rang out behind her.
“You’re staying there for the whole week?”