When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0490

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Miranda felt a bit embarrassed, realizing her thoughts had been seen through, but she wasn’t overly flustered. After all, it was their first meeting, and having a little caution was entirely normal.

She figured the elderly couple, with all their life experiences, would understand her position.

Sure enough, Fiona gently patted her hand and said, “It’s good to have a sense of caution, especially for a young woman as lovely as you. Being vigilant helps protect yourself.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Miranda replied with a nod.

“You mentioned that my voice seemed familiar to you. I grew up in Lumberville and only came to Elgerson after I graduated from high school. So, I don’t think we’ve met before then.”

“True,” Fiona said with a smile, though Miranda could detect a hint of disappointment and sadness in her expression.

Aren then spoke up, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, we might not have met before, but now that we have, it must be fate.”

Miranda returned his smile with a nod.

Soon, Sam returned with the water, handing a bottle to each of his grandparents. He then handed the remaining bottles, still in the bag, to Miranda.

“These are for your parents too. I assume your mom is here for the book signing event, and your dad must be with her, right?”

“Yes, he is,” Miranda replied, hesitating a bit before taking the bag.

“Take it,” Sam insisted, pressing it into her hands.

“…Thank you,” she said.

Sam asked, “What were you talking about that made them so happy?”

Before he entered, he had seen from a distance that his grandfather had a smile on his face. Even his normally hard–to–please grandmother had the hint of a smile on her lips. Seeing this, Sam was momentarily stunned.

How long had it been since he’d seen them smile like that? Last year, when he visited them abroad, his grandmother had been in the hospital, and his grandfather had been full of sighs and worry. During the half

of a smile on Aren’s facer

-month he stayed, he hadn’t seen even a b

Sam had tried to convince them to return to the country, even pointing out that all of the Garrisons‘ businesses were based there. Plus, the climate at home would be more suitable for their retirement, Instead of living like rootless wanderers in a foreign land at their age.

But, no matter how much he pleaded, they refused.

The investigation had once suggested that his missing aunt, Minnie, might have been taken to Arup. Clinging to this uncertain lead, the elderly couple had spent nearly a decade searching across Arup.

Only when his grandmother’s health declined to the point where she could no longer endure the physical

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Chapter 0490

demands of the search did they reluctantly return home.

Sam had watched their suffering all these years, feeling powerless to help. He wasn’t even able to bring them a moment of true happiness.

Yet Miranda had managed to make them smile.

*Thank you for keeping an eye on my grandparents,” Sam said.

“No need to thank me,” Miranda replied, waving off his gratitude. “The book signing event is almost over. Now that you’re back, I’ll head upstairs.”

She then bid the elderly couple farewell before stepping into the elevator.

Aren and Fiona watched as she disappeared into the elevator, realizing for the first time that an author was holding a book signing event on the third floor.

Sam, noticing their interest, explained briefly about the recent sensation caused by the mystery novel Seven Days“.

Upon hearing this, Fiona’s heart stirred. She remembered how Minnie used to talk about growing up to be a great writer who would create amazing stories,

Memories of the past flooded back, and she could almost see her daughter’s smiling face as if it were yesterday.

She suddenly expressed a desire to go upstairs and see this author. She wondered if they too would have that same spark in their eyes when talking about their stories, just like her daughter once did.

But just as Fiona voiced her wish, Aren gently stopped her. “Your eyesight isn’t good, and we’ve been out for quite a while already. Let’s head home and rest.”

Remembering her health condition, Fiona sighed and reluctantly agreed.

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