Independence

After that, Hansel got into his car and sped off.

Pissed, Winter stomped her feet. She burst out in anger, scolding, “Look at him! What a jerk! Scumbag! A piece of trash! How frustrating!”

She grabbed Marshall’s collar. “I’m telling you, Mimi will never, ever return to him this time. Never!”

Marshall frantically comforted her. “Yes, of course. You should calm down…”

But was that possible? Hansel had looked so confident and determined. He must have a reason to back his judgment.

Marshall sneaked a glance at Winter. If only she could be as loyal to men as she was to her best friend…

He stopped himself from thinking any further. That idea was simply too

farfetched to come true.

Hansel received a call while driving. Since he was in a foul mood, he spoke coldly. “What is it?”

“Dear, I recently found a hidden gem. They have really succulent crabs. It’s Saturday tomorrow; let’s try it out tomorrow, shall we?” Ingrid’s crisp, cheerful voice came through the phone.

She knew Hansel loved seafood, so she catered to his tastes.

Besides, they hadn’t contacted each other since last night, and that made her anxious. Because of that, she’d stopped being reserved and called him first.

Most of the time, Hansel had been the one planning their dates. She’d only needed to bashfully decline a few times before eventually agreeing to his plans in a reserved manner.

But things had been different recently. Hansel hadn’t contacted her as frequently, and his texts had been short and simple. Sometimes, he wouldn’t even reply to her.

11 she added why, he’d say he was busy

#1 was 17-

“Saterday? I’m busy

Ingrid’s grip on her phone tightened, and her lips paled. “It’s fine if you’re bury termorrow. We can go on Sunday

“I said I’m busy. I’m hanging up.” Hansel ended the call right after that.

Ingrid stared at her phone, anxiety washing over her once again.

No way! She’d finally managed to become Hansel’s official girlfriend after so much effort. She couldn’t give in just like that!

As the sun set, Paul and Miranda bid Christine goodbye.

How can the day be so short?” Christine looked up at the sky, feeling reluctant to part. “Perhaps you two could have dinner with me before heading back?”

Paul replied, “Perhaps not. I have to go to the lab.”

Miranda shook her head too. “We can always do that some other day.”

“Alright. Goodbye, then. Be careful on the road.” She turned to Miranda. Come visit me more often when you’re free, okay?”

Miranda immediately agreed, “Sure!”

“Oh, right. There are two documents and several books on the table. Take them back with you; you left them behind back then.”

Miranda had taken up bioinformatics as her major and had used to look into bioinformatics algorithms.

Before she’d graduated, she’d been working on a thesis she’d planned to submit to the SCI Journal. To think Christine had kept it for her all these years

Miranda was touched. “Dr. Young, I

“Alright, now. You should get going. Oh, don’t forget to take the food

container on the table. I washed it.”

Miranda was stunned.

Christine expressed her displeasure, saying, “You didn’t even visit me in the hospital, even though you were already there. All you left was a food

container. I was bloated from the meal.”

Miranda blushed. “I won’t do that anymore.”

On the way back, Miranda felt too embarrassed to ask Paul to drop her off at the apartment since she knew he was busy.

So, she suggested getting off at Bedford College’s entrance. It wasn’t far, anyway. It was just like taking a stroll.

Paul nodded. “Alright.”

When Hansel saw a figure at his mansion’s entrance, he held his breath. But soon, his heart fell back into place when he saw who it was. “Ingy.”

“Hans, you’re back?” Ingrid sprung to her feet in surprise. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was waiting for you. You said you were busy when I called earlier, so I could only come over after you got off work. Am I bothering you?” she askedCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

tentatively, seemingly nervous.

“Not at all.” Hansel slowly shook his head.

“That’s great!” Her smile reappeared but quickly fell. “Hans, I’m hungry…” Bashful, Ingrid lowered her head and puffed her cheeks.

“Come on, I’ll take you out for dinner.”

“Sure!”

They went to a Jovanian restaurant. Hansel didn’t eat much, but Ingrid enjoyed the meal. It was evident that t

Ingrid nodded and hummed in agreement.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you back to your college dorm.”

“Okay.”

The restaurant was near the National University of Technology. They got there in less than ten minutes, and Hansel parked by the roadside.

Ingrid paused before she got out. Turning to him, she asked, “Aren’t your going to see me off?”

“Sure,” Hansel agreed.

The night classes had just ended. Students flocked out of the college in search of food.

Ingrid was acknowledged as the campus belle, so her presence invited curious glances. It was more so since a dashing, elegant gentleman was walking beside her.

As though unaware of the crowd’s whispers, Ingrid turned to look at Hansel.. With a charming smile, she asked, “Perhaps I should introduce you to my roommates someday? They’re really eager to know you.”

That was an understatement; the entire college was keen to know who her official boyfriend was.

When Miranda had still been with Hansel and Ingrid hadn’t been his girlfriend yet, Ingrid hadn’t dared to show him off in public.

But things were different now. He’d promised to make their relationship official and kept that promise. Now, she no longer had to keep him a secret.

Hansel didn’t answer her. He wasn’t interested in meeting her roommates.

However, Ingrid didn’t seem to notice his aloof attitude. She merely smiled and continued, “This is great, Hans. Every minute with you feels joyful.”

Immediately after, she turned to face him. Before he could react, she jumped. Her ponytail swayed and formed a gentle curve in the air as she planted at tender kiss on his lips.

There was an uproar.

“The rumors are true. Ingrid has a boyfriend!”

“Oh gosh! It’s just like a scene from the movies!”

“Ingrid is so beautiful, and her boyfriend is super good–looking.”

“They are a match made in heaven! I’m rooting for them!”

It just so happened that Miranda was standing right behind the crowd. She hadn’t intended to witness the scene, but the commotion attracted her attention when she’d passed by the college.

What a coincidence.

Hansel came to his senses and stared at Ingrid, who was smiling. Suddenly, a different pair of similarly dazzling eyes came to his mind.

Years ago, another woman had gazed at him the same way during the graduation ceremony at Bedford College.

Her eyes had sparkled, and her smile had been blinding. “Hansel, I choose you, and I won’t regret it.”

That memory had been embedded in the deepest chasm of his mind, and he thought he’d long forgotten it. Now, it re–emerged without a warning and landed a heavy blow on his heart.

Instinctively, he stepped back and put some distance between himself and Ingrid.

“Hans? You-” Ingrid was puzzled.

Hansel said, “It’s late. You should go in now.”