Independence

Zach tapped Hansel’s shoulder from behind enthusiastically. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell us? We have a room upstairs. Come, join us for a drink!”

Hansel rubbed his temples and said, “I’m not drinking. You guys go ahead.”

Zach felt a little puzzled as he watched Hansel leave. The latter had never missed these drinking parties before. Could it be that he’d made up with Miranda?

That made sense. If they’d just reconciled, he wouldn’t be able to party with them.

“Mr. Graham, what are you looking at? We’re waiting for you,” someone called from the stairs nearby.

Zach shook his head and rejoined the group, dismissing the thought.

It was 10:00 pm when Hansel arrived at the mansion. Martha had tidied up his bedroom and the walk–in closet. All of Miranda’s belongings had been neatly put back in their places.

Hansel turned and walked to the study. The bookshelves were filled with books related to the field of biology from floor to ceiling.

Although Miranda hadn’t gone on to do her Master’s degree, she’d never allowed herself to fall behind in her studies. She’d often spent the whole day reading in the study. All these books belonged to her.

Miranda would sometimes boast to him about which books were already out of print, which ones she’d managed to get original copies of, and how much effort she’d put into categorizing them.

Her face had always lit up with joy when she’d spoken about her

achievements.

Hansel stared intensely at the wall of books, lost in thought. A sudden. realization struck him, and a smirk appeared on his face.

Hansel went downstairs and found Martha, who’d just taken out the trash and was about to leave. “Let me borrow your phone.”

Martha became defensive instantly. “Well, Mr. Johnson, you smashed my phone and broke it last time…”

“Didn’t you buy a new one?”

Martha hesitated and didn’t reply.

“Give it to me,” he insisted.

“But I just bought it…” Martha felt distressed at the thought of it getting damaged again.

Hansel said, “I’ll get someone to send two iPhone 16s over to you later.”

“Alright!” Martha immediately handed over her phone in joy.

Taking the phone, Hansel turned around and dialed Miranda’s number.

This time, he spoke before she could say anything, “Since you said you wanted a clean break, please come and take away the trash you left in the study. You have one day to clear it out. If you don’t move it by tomorrow, I’ll have them thrown away.”

Miranda was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly realized he was referring to the technical books she’d left in the study.

“Fine.” With that, Miranda hung up.

Hansel held the phone to his ear and pursed his lips tightly when he heard the silence on the other end of the line.

Meanwhile, Miranda realized that the books might be too heavy for her to move them on her own.

She decided to call Winter. “Are you free tomorrow? I left some books at Hansel’s mansion. Can you drive me there to help me move them?”

Naturally, Winter agreed. “Sure, you put so much effort into those books. Leaving them with that jerk would be a waste. I’ll drive over to pick you up in the morning.”

“Okay,” Miranda replied.

Winter didn’t show up at her door the next day. Instead, Paul was the one who turned up.

He usually dressed in a shirt and pants, looking very scholarly.

However, he wore a simple white T–shirt and blue jeans today. His soft black hair covered his forehead, making him look like a youthful college. student.

“Why are you here? Where’s Winter?” Miranda couldn’t help but be surprised.

“She overslept and asked me to come and help you instead,” he replied.

Miranda was at a loss for words. If she wasn’t mistaken, Winter must have had too much fun last night. That was why she couldn’t get up today.

Oh well, having some help was better than having none. So, she said, “In that case, thank you for helping out.”