When fate plays its hand
hand 583

Chapter 0583

+25 BONUS

“Sorry, I don’t know how to dance,‘ Miranda politely declined. Chandler then walked away disappointed.

She thought that would be the end of it, but as soon as one left, another showed up. After politely turning down five different guys, Miranda quickly pulled Madison over to a secluded corner to sit.

The spot was hidden away. With dim lighting, it was hard for anyone to notice them. Miranda sighed in relief; finally, a moment of peace.

“Miranda, you’re way too popular–I’m half–tempted to ask you for a dance myself,” Madison teased.

“Well, I might just consider it,” Miranda responded with a smile.

Madison raised her chin proudly, grinning. “Those guys would be so jealous!”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all! It’s perfect!” she said, and the two burst into laughter.

“I’ll go grab some snacks!” Madison announced.

Alright.”

As Miranda opened a bottle of mineral water on the table, she took a sip. With little interest in socializing or snacks, she took out her tablet and began reading a research paper.

When Madison returned with a pile of snacks and saw her, she looked a bit sheepish. Their table remained undisturbed, likely due to its secluded location. All was well, after all.

But just as they were settling in, the moment was interrupted by a voice. “Is anyone sitting here? Mind if I join you?”

“Sorry, but we…” Madison began, about to turn him down.

Hearing the familiar voice, Miranda looked up in surprise. “Dr. Jefferson? What brings you here?”

Paul stood there, dressed in a gray suit, holding a black overcoat over his arm. “Does that mean I can sit \down?” he asked, with a hint of a smile.

Miranda nodded, smiling. “Of course.”

It took Madison a solid five seconds to process. Then, she quickly greeted him, “Hello, Dr. Jefferson! Are you here for the mixer, too?”

“Yes.” Paul nodded.

But… wasn’t the event only for freshmen?

Moments later, the reason for Paul’s presence became clear as the host began introducing the mixer’s spotlight segment.

“Now, let’s turn on our spotlight! Who will be the first to catch its glow? Three… two… one!”

A white light swung toward the corner where Miranda and Madison sat, and they squinted slightly. A second later, the beam landed on Paul.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0583

He rose, and someone promptly handed him a microphone.

“Oh, it’s Dr. Jefferson!” the host exclaimed. “Just in time! Dr. Jefferson, why not kick off tonight’s event with a few words?”

Though presented as spontaneous, it was obviously planned.

Paul took the microphone, gave a few polite remarks, and quickly wrapped up his speech. He then handed back the mic and returned to his seat. The light followed him as he sat, then faded away.

“That’s it?” Miranda whispered.

“What else?” He laughed. “Did you expect me to deliver an academic report?”

She snickered. “You could give it a try.”

“I’d be afraid of putting everyone to sleep.”

“So, Dr. Jefferson, you came all this way just to.give a quick opening remark?”

“Unfortunately, sometimes you have to fulfill a few assigned duties.”

“Honestly, I thought a busy person like you would never agree to it,” Miranda muttered, still surprised.

Ordinarily, Paul wouldn’t have agreed. He had declined several previous invitations from the school. But this year, he accepted without a second thought.

Silas had been so stunned when he heard that he nearly dropped his coffee. “Wait… Paul, are you possessed or something?”