Chapter 339

Upon hearing Miranda's words, a flicker of complexity swept through Luis' eyes-astonishment at her agreement, yet overshadowed by an excitement he could scarcely name.

His smile deepened, drawing him closer to her until their noses nearly touched, their breaths interweaving like threads of the same fabric.

"Alright, it's settled then," he murmured, each syllable tinged with a warm breath that skimmed against her cheek.

Miranda's gaze narrowed ever so slightly, a playful spark glinting like starlight in her eyes.

She lifted her arms with unhurried grace,looping them around Luis' neck.

Tilting her head upward, she closed the distance, their lips meeting softly, intimacy flowing between them like a quiet undercurrent.

Yet in that fleeting closeness, Luis' eyes betrayedhim,drifting downward-catching sight of the faint marks scattered across her collarbone, vivid and enticing,bearing a temptation too dangerous to ignore.His eyes sharpened, a wave of heat surging through his chest as instinct urged him to deepen the kiss.

But before he could surrender, Miranda, catching his intent, curved her lips into a teasing smile and pulled away with sudden swiftness.

"I'm hungry. Let's go out for dinner." Her voice, laced with sweetness and playful mischief, chimed as her lashes fluttered.

Luis froze, desire still lingering in his expression.

He opened his mouth, but no words came-struck helpless beneath her mischief.

Twenty minutes later, Miranda emerged from the dressing room.

She had chosen a dress that hugged her figure, pairing it with silver heels that echoed softly against the floor.

Her makeup was simple, yet touched with an elegance that needed no excess.

Luis, meanwhile, had changed into a suit delivered by the staff. The black tailoring framed his striking form,sharpening his already handsome presence into something commanding.

He sat at ease upon the sofa, long legs crossed,his posture relaxed yet refined. In his hand rested his phone, his slender fingers gliding lightly over the screen.

The reason for his change of attire was simple: the sportswear he had worn earlier had met its untimely end at the hands of Miranda, who, in a hurried moment,had broken the zipper.

Now,she leaned casually against the doorframe, her eyes quietly measuring Luis. She had to admit-he was dangerously magnetic. His sculpted features and balanced physique were a banquet for the eyes, even when he was seated in silence.

The staccato click of heels ceased nearby, drawing Luis' puzzled gaze upward as he slid the phone aside.

Their eyes met.

Whether the re-ignition of passion or something deeper, the moment their gazes intertwined, the air thickened, as if charged with invisible sparks-an unspoken tension that clung between them.

"I'm ready, let's go," Miranda said, breaking the silence with lightness.

Luis gave a slight nod, rose from the sofa, and together they stepped beyond the hotel's walls.

Inside, the curtains had remained drawn, the lights aglow. Outside, dusk had descended, and a cool evening breeze swept across Miranda's face. She shivered,suddenly reminded of the hour.

Streetlamps flickered on one after another, sketching golden halos along the street.

Noticing her shiver, Luis shrugged off his coat and gently draped it across her shoulders.

"The wind cuts sharp tonight-best not to catch a chill," he said calmly, his eyes still fixed forward.

Miranda drew the coat closer, warmed by the lingering trace of his body heat.

She tilted her head, her voice playful. "Mr. Sampson,still the gentleman. No wonder so many women hold you in their hearts."

For a moment, Luis faltered at her words. Then,with a faint upward curve of his lips, he answered only with a quiet smile.

Side by side, they walked into the deepening night, a pair so striking that passersby turned their heads,unable to resist a second glance.

At that same moment, Molly, weary from a long day,sat in her car at a traffic light.

She idled by the roadside, waiting for the green signal to appear.

Through the half-open window, the chatter of high school students drifted in.

"Look at that couple ahead-they're dazzling!" one girl exclaimed, her tone tinged with envy.

"The man's got legs so long, and the woman's figure is stunning!" another chimed in,admiration clear.

Molly's gaze, almost idle, followed theirs.

But the moment her eyes fell upon the scene ahead,her indifference cracked.

There-walking together-were Luis and Miranda.Their closeness spoke volumes, and the hotel behind them betrayed the rest.

Miranda wore Luis' coat, and the harmony between them was undeniable.

Bitterness surged in Molly's chest, sharp and sour as unripe fruit, catching in her throat and pricking at her eyes.

She knew Miranda. Rivals in love were faces she never forgot. Verena's words echoed in her memory-the hints of something between Luis and Miranda.

Jealousy, disbelief, and unwillingness crashed over her like a risingtide. Her fingers clenched the steering wheel until her knuckles whitened.

Could it be true? Did Luis truly feel something for Miranda?

Her thoughts tangled in a storm of resentment toward Miranda and fear of Luis' uncertain feelings. What unsettled her most wasn't his uncertainty toward herself, but what he truly felt for Miranda.

Molly narrowed her gaze on him, desperate to read his expression.

Yet from afar, all she caught was the subtle lift of a smile at his lips-a sight that tightened her chest as though bound by iron bands.

The traffic light turned green, cars surged forward, and the air filled with the hum of engines.

Still, Molly's eyes clung to the side mirror, reluctant to let go.

A sharp honk broke her trance, jolting her back. She tore her gaze away, started the engine, and slipped into a side street.

In the mirror, the figures of Luis and Miranda shrank and blurred, until at last they vanished into the crowd.

A hollow helplessness pressed upon her chest. Frustration and disappointment burned within her as she reached home. Storming into the living room,she tossed her bag onto the sofa with a heavy thud.

At the dining table sat Sherwood,glasses perched low on his nose, the picture of quiet wisdom as he studied his newspaper.

Hearing the commotion, he lifted his head, adjusted his spectacles, and spoke with gentle patience. "Molly,come have dinner."