Miranda had agreed to come along, but clearly, Felix planned to spend time comforting Xena.

Just then, an elderly figure with silvery white hair stepped up from the sunroom. It was Felix’s grandmother.

“Mira, you’re here,” she said warmly.

“Hi, Grandma.” Miranda greeted her affectionately. After the wedding, Mrs. Gibson Sr. had always treated her well.

“Oh my, Mia’s getting so tall! Great-Grandma can’t even lift you anymore!” Mrs. Gibson Sr. said with a loving smile as she watched her great-granddaughter run around.

After the eighteen-hour flight, Miranda was feeling worn out. With Mia happily playing with her grandmother and great-grandmother, she didn’t want to interrupt. She took a shower and stayed in the room to rest.

By 11 p.m., Mia was still bursting with energy. Miranda forced herself to stay awake and sat with her in the upstairs sitting area. Before long, Felix joined them, dressed in a soft cotton pajama set. As soon as he sat down, Mia climbed into his lap.

“Daddy, play with me! Please!”

“Sure. What do you want to play?”

“Blocks!”

Felix patiently built blocks with her. Miranda sat quietly to the side, exhaustion washing over her. Before long, she drifted off with her head resting on the couch.

Half-asleep, she felt a tap on her arm. Mia was whispering next to her, “Daddy, can you carry Mommy back to bed?”

“You can wake her up yourself,” Felix replied gently.

“But you carried Aunt Xena back to her room last time. Why can’t you carry Mommy too?” Mia pouted, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

Miranda frowned. “He didn’t even try to keep his distance from Xena in front of our daughter? Disgusting!” she thought.

She pretended to wake up and opened her eyes. “Mia, I’ll take you to bed.”

She looked up and met Felix’s dark, unreadable gaze. He clearly knew she had heard everything.

“I’m scared. I want both Mommy and Daddy to sleep with me,” Mia said with a pout.

“Daddy has work to do. Go with Mommy for now,” Felix said flatly, getting up and walking toward his study.

Mia’s lips trembled, but Miranda scooped her up. “Come on, baby. Mommy will tell you a bedtime story.”

*

The next morning, Miranda came downstairs with Mia in tow.

“Good morning, ma’am. Would you like breakfast now?” a housekeeper asked as she approached.

Miranda nodded. As they entered the dining room, she asked, “Has Mr. Gibson gotten up yet?”

“He left early this morning,” the housekeeper replied.

Miranda understood perfectly. With her here, Xena couldn’t show up at the Gibson estate. So Felix had no choice but to go out and meet her instead.

Right now, they were probably sitting in some upscale cafe downtown, enjoying a cozy date—or maybe they were already tangled up in the sheets of a hotel room, indulging in a heated morning affair.

*

By noon, Miranda spent some time chatting with Mrs. Gibson Sr. Though Susan wasn’t particularly fond of her, she kept things civil in front of Mia.

“Mira, Mia’s already five. She seems a little lonely,” Mrs. Gibson Sr. said, taking her hand. “You two are still young. Why not try for another child or two? A livelier home is a happier one.”

Miranda didn’t take offense. From Mrs. Gibson Sr.’s point of view, wanting more grandchildren made sense.

After lunch, with Mia occupied, Miranda returned to her room and continued working. This time, she was determined to carry out her father’s last wish and finally complete the research lab he never got to finish.

That evening, Felix came home for dinner.

“Come on, open up.” Susan coaxed gently, offering a spoonful of risotto to Mia, a satisfied smile on her face.

With a child at the table, the atmosphere was naturally lighthearted. But Mrs. Gibson Sr. couldn’t help noticing the tension between Felix and Miranda. The emotional distance between the couple was too obvious.

She was still hoping to see another great-grandchild in her lifetime, and the thought made her silently anxious.

After dinner, she deliberately sent Susan and Mia away, keeping Felix and Miranda behind.

“Mira, you young folks should go out and enjoy yourselves once in a while,” she began, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “Don’t just stay home with us old folks all day.”

Miranda smiled politely. “I like spending time at home with you all, Grandma.”

But Mrs. Gibson Sr. suddenly remembered that Miranda rarely went abroad and probably didn’t have many friends here. Her expression grew serious as she turned to Felix.

“Felix, you’re always leaving your wife at home while you run around outside. Is that how a husband should act?”

Felix’s gaze shifted to Miranda, sharp and questioning. Clearly, he assumed she had been complaining behind his back.

“We’ll take Mia with us tonight,” Mrs. Gibson Sr. added with a knowing glint in her eye. “You take Mira out for a breather. Come back a little later.”

She was clearly hoping the young couple would rekindle their intimacy—if not at home, then maybe at a hotel.

Miranda caught on instantly and quickly protested, “It’s cold out. I’d rather stay home with you.”

“There’s heating in the car. You won’t freeze. Go on—get out for a bit,” Mrs. Gibson Sr. insisted, waving them off.

Just as Miranda was about to come up with another excuse, Felix cut in coldly, “Let’s go.”

“Go on, go on,” Mrs. Gibson Sr. said again, finally breaking into a pleased smile.

Not wanting to disrespect her grandmother-in-law, Miranda nodded.

Felix pulled the car around, and Miranda climbed into the passenger seat. Behind them, Mrs. Gibson Sr. stood at the window, watching them leave with a hopeful smile.

Once they had exited the estate, a heavy silence filled the car, making Miranda feel increasingly uneasy.

Just then, the car phone rang. The name “Xena” lit up across the screen, bold and unmistakable.

Miranda glanced at it, then turned her face toward the window without a word.

Felix reached over and declined the call.

A moment later, Miranda spoke, her voice quiet but firm. “Just drop me off anywhere in the city. I’ll make my own way back.”

But Felix replied coolly, “Come with me. There’s somewhere I want to go.”

Since Felix showed no sign of stopping, Miranda had no choice but to sit back and follow along.

The black Rolls-Royce Phantom cut through the snowy night, eventually pulling into a private estate.

A doorman in a tailcoat stepped forward and opened the car door with a respectful bow.

Inside the mansion, they were guided through a lavish corridor before entering an intimate banquet hall. From the domed ceiling hung a three-tiered crystal chandelier, its prisms scattering light like stardust, casting a dazzling glow over the space.

By the rose-gold wine cabinet sat three young men. A bartender in a gray vest was mixing drinks for them.

“Felix! You made it,” one of the men greeted warmly, then noticed Miranda. “And this must be Mrs. Gibson. A pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Hello. I’m Miranda,” she replied.

“Welcome! Great to see you. I’m Hayden Harris—Felix’s good friend and tonight’s host,” he said with a smile that was both gracious and subtly admiring.

Miranda recognized the name. He was the second son of the Harris family, who owned one of the largest real estate empires in Corona.

The other two men rose to greet them as well. Felix introduced them in passing. Miranda didn’t recognize their names, but from their polished manners and quiet confidence, it was clear they came from powerful families.

“Felix, come here a sec,” Hayden said, throwing an arm around Felix’s shoulder and pulling him aside for a chat.

Meanwhile, a server approached Miranda. “Mrs. Gibson, would you prefer a cocktail or juice?”

“Juice, please,” Miranda answered.

Just then, four more guests entered—two couples. The pair in front had their arms linked like a married couple. Behind them trailed another man and woman. The man wore a tailored gray suit with effortless poise. At his side was none other than Xena.

Her black evening gown accentuated every curve of her figure. Draped over her shoulders was a royal purple shawl, and she wore a matching set of sparkling jewelry. She looked elegant, sensual, and undeniably glamorous.

The moment Xena saw Miranda, a flash of disbelief crossed her face. She hadn’t expected Felix to bring her here. But she quickly recovered, her lips curling into a smile full of veiled meaning.

The man beside Xena recognized Miranda and walked up with a friendly smile. “Mrs. Gibson, do you remember me?”

Miranda found him vaguely familiar but couldn’t place him.

“I’m Leo Lincoln. I attended your wedding with Felix. Ring any bells?”

She smiled politely. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Lincoln.”

Xena stepped forward, her voice soft. “Mrs. Gibson, what a surprise to see you here.”

Miranda pretended not to hear her and sipped her juice without responding. Xena’s smile stiffened, and she cast a faintly wounded look in Felix’s direction.

She had expected him to arrive alone tonight. Clearly, Miranda’s presence had ruined her evening.

Miranda had only just arrived, but she was already thinking about leaving. Watching how easily everyone greeted one another, it was clear they all moved in the same social circle.

“Why had Felix brought me here?

“To make me feel out of place?

“Or to let me witness, firsthand, his affair with Xena?” she wondered.

*

Just then, another group of guests entered, led in by a server. Miranda looked up curiously. In the very next moment, her gaze landed on a familiar face.

She froze. A wave of shock and delight rushed through her.

It was James Moore, a brilliant figure in Merika’s medical field—and her former upperclassman.

He wore a simple black suit, his tall frame refined and understated. The silver-rimmed glasses added to his scholarly air. He was deep in conversation with a middle-aged man when he suddenly seemed to sense someone watching.

His gaze swept the room and then stopped on her.

For a second, he looked surprised. Then a glimmer of warmth lit his expression. He murmured something to his companion, pushed up his glasses, and began walking toward her.

Miranda smiled.

“Mira,” he said warmly.

“James,” she greeted, struggling to hide her excitement. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Neither did I. What a surprise,” he said, his eyes scanning her face with quiet fondness. It had been nearly half a year since they last met.

Meanwhile, Felix finished talking with Hayden and headed their way—only to find another man chatting with Miranda, looking far too familiar.

His brows furrowed slightly.

Just then, a hand slipped around his wrist. It was Xena, glamorous and poised, blocking his path with a teasing smile.

“Why didn’t you answer my call earlier?”

Felix pulled his hand away without making a scene. “I’ll explain later.”

Xena gave a knowing smile and turned her gaze to the man talking to Miranda. He wasn’t someone she recognized—not part of their usual crowd.

Who was he? And why did he seem so close to Miranda?

Everyone here tonight was from the top of their fields.

How had a housewife who had spent years tucked away in the shadows managed to know someone like him?”

“Felix, come here. I want to introduce someone to you,” Hayden said, motioning him over.

Felix followed Hayden to where Miranda was standing with James.

Hayden raised his brows in surprise. “Mrs. Gibson, you two know each other?”

Miranda offered a polite smile. “Yes, we know each other.”

Hayden said with a chuckle. “Well then, I’ll skip the formalities. Felix, this is James Moore—Professor Craven’s most prized student and a rising star in the medical field.”

Felix’s expression shifted to one of interest. There was a hint of respect in his eyes as he extended his hand. “Mr. Moore, nice to meet you. I’m Felix Gibson.”

“Likewise.” James gave him a measured glance as their hands briefly clasped and released.

Then he turned to Miranda. “It was lovely seeing you again.” With a courteous nod, James excused himself.

Felix watched him walk away, his gaze lingering for a moment before settling on Miranda again. She started toward the bar for another juice, but just as she stepped away, Felix gripped her arm tightly.

“Watch yourself.”

Felix’s voice was low, his words barely audible, but they carried an unmistakable warning wrapped in quiet authority.

Miranda gave a faint, mocking smile. He had no issue flaunting his mistress in front of their entire social circle, yet the moment she spoke a few harmless words to James, he suddenly felt the need to issue a warning?

It was typical. He could do whatever he wanted, while she was expected to stay silent.

She pulled her arm free with a calm, deliberate motion. Felix let go without protest. Without saying another word, Miranda turned and walked toward the bar to get herself another glass of juice.

Nearby, Xena was chatting with a well-dressed socialite in Danesian.

“Who’s that? I don’t think I’ve seen her before,” the woman asked.

Xena smiled politely and replied, “She’s Felix’s wife. The one from back home.”

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. “Then you might want to be careful tonight, Miss Spencer. You wouldn’t want to get too close to Mr. Gibson and upset his wife.”

Still smiling, Xena said breezily, “She won’t mind. They’re in the middle of a divorce.”

The woman cast a quick glance toward Miranda. “She doesn’t seem like someone who’s used to this kind of crowd. Doesn’t really match Mr. Gibson, does she?”

They clearly assumed Miranda couldn’t understand the language.

What they didn’t know was that in the past six years, she had become fluent in four.

Xena was openly spreading rumors about their divorce in this very room, and Felix was doing nothing to stop her.

He stood across the room with a wine glass in hand, chatting with two other men. Meanwhile, James had already noticed Miranda standing alone. With a drink of his own, he made his way over to her.

“Mira, what are you doing in Danesia? When did you get here?” he asked with warmth in his voice.

“I came with my husband and daughter. We’re spending Christmas here,” she answered in fluent Elbonian.

James smiled and smoothly switched to Elbonian. “Looks like you haven’t forgotten everything I taught you.”

He stepped a little closer, his eyes drifting briefly toward Xena.

“If you want to leave, I can take you,” he offered, his voice low.

He knew about Felix’s affair with Xena.

Miranda gave him a calm smile. “Thank you. If I need help, I’ll reach out.”

Across the room, Felix’s eyes snapped toward them. The warmth in his gaze disappeared in an instant. His expression darkened, and the wine glass paused halfway to his lips.

Just then, Hayden clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Let’s play a little game,” he said cheerfully. “I’m calling it ‘Vintage Time Capsule.’ It’s a blind wine tasting. Nothing too complicated.”

The crowd immediately perked up. Xena stood next to Leo, smiling with thinly veiled excitement. She shot Miranda a knowing look, clearly hoping for a show.

Everyone seemed excited about the game. Miranda stayed quiet, treating it as light entertainment and secretly hoping the fun would wind down quickly.

A server brought over a tray of wineglasses and three bottles covered in dark cloth. Each glass was poured from one of the bottles. The rules were simple: taste the wine and identify its dominant flavor note.

Felix was the first to step up. He swirled the wine in his glass, took a small sip, and said calmly, “Cherry.”

“Correct,” Hayden nodded. “Next.”

Soon it was Xena’s turn. She lifted the glass with practiced elegance, swirled it gently, then bit her red lips in thought. “Could it be… oak barrel?”

Hayden pulled off the cloth with a grin. “Miss Spencer, how’d you get that one wrong?”

Xena gave him a playful, pleading look. “Then please go easy on me, Mr. Harris.”

He chuckled. “Alright! Your punishment is to finish the whole glass!”

Xena hesitated, brows gently pinched, and gave a dainty cough as she covered her lips. “I’m not sure I can.”

“I’ll drink it for her,” a voice cut in.

Felix stepped forward, picked up the glass in front of Xena, and downed it in one smooth motion.

Miranda’s expression remained unreadable as she watched. Xena really knew how to make Felix feel protective—like he was her knight in shining armor.

Under the soft lights, Xena’s fair cheeks took on a delicate pink. She looked up at Felix and whispered, “Thank you.”

Then it was James’s turn. He took a sip and said with a smile, “I’ll take a wild guess. Graphite? Not sure if I got that right.”

Hayden chuckled. “Impressive. You guessed correctly!”

Finally, it was Miranda’s turn. Hayden looked surprised, as if he had forgotten she was even there.

A socialite, who seemed to be close with Xena, gave a polite smile and said, “Your turn, dear.”

“She doesn’t need to play,” Felix interjected immediately.

The woman chuckled. “Oh, come on, Mr. Gibson. Let your wife join in. It’ll be more fun that way.”

All eyes turned toward Miranda again. She offered a pleasant smile. “All right then. I’ll take a guess. If I’m wrong, no one laugh, okay?”

She reached for the glass, her fingers wrapping around the crystal stem. She gave it a gentle swirl, then brought it to her nose. Her calm, graceful movements carried a quiet elegance.

From across the room, Xena watched her closely, a faint smirk on her lips. “If Miranda guessed wrong, would Felix step in for her too?” she wondered.

Miranda took a sip, thoughtful for a moment. “I’ll take a blind guess—blackcurrant, perhaps?”

Hayden pulled off the cloth, visibly surprised. “Spot on! Mrs. Gibson clearly knows her wine.”

Xena’s smile faltered. She had forgotten that the Gibsons probably had an extensive wine collection at home. A little tasting game like this wouldn’t faze Miranda.

“Well done, Mrs. Gibson,” Xena said with an easy smile, though her eyes glinted with mischief. “You have such a refined palate. I’m sure you’re just as talented in the arts. There’s a piano right over there. Would you care to play something for us?”

Her tone was sugary sweet, but the challenge beneath it was clear. She wasn’t offering a compliment. She was trying to corner Miranda.

“Xena,” Felix said, his voice low with restrained irritation.

Xena bit her lip, feigning innocence. “Never mind, forget I said anything.”

The room went quiet. Even Hayden and Leo exchanged looks, as if unsure how to smooth over the tension.

Then Miranda smiled lightly. “Why not? I’ll give it a try.”