Chapter 115
Miranda raised an eyebrow, looking at Sebastian with a hint of curiosity. Her gaze lingered on Sebastian’s handsome face before it dropped to his physique.
“I have a thing for good–looking… anatomical specimens.”
As a medical student, Miranda had a particular appreciation for the ideal human form. Of course, her interest went beyond appearances; she valued what’s on the “inside“, like bones, muscles, nerves, and organs.
The first part of her statement brought a slight smile to Sebastian’s lips, but the latter part left it hanging awkwardly in place.
Yet, with his ability to adapt, he quickly recovered. Half–joking and half–serious, he said as he gazed at Miranda, “Well, when I die, you can have my body.”
There was an almost imperceptible pampering in his words.
Miranda took it as a joke and laughed, responding easily, “Deal.”
Sebastian’s intense gazes deepened at her reply, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he watched her.
The hotel’s warm lighting cast a glow on his features, and the reflection from his glasses made his gentle, handsome face seem sprinkled with stardust.
But Miranda, having given her answer, had already turned her attention elsewhere, so she didn’t catch his gaze. She noticed a couple of people snapping photos of them.
“I heard they’re shipping us as a couple?” Miranda inquired.
Sebastian glanced at them and countered, “What’s wrong with that?”
Miranda recalled a conversation with Marion and said bluntly, “Mr. Smith advised against it. He said it could hurt my career if we get linked as a couple.”
Sebastian was momentarily speechless. Who was this Mr. Smith?
On the other side, Jasper clutched his swollen cheek, looking utterly miserable. “I just made a few comments about Sebastian and Miranda having chemistry. Did you really need to hit me so hard?”
Elian stood shirtless, his toned muscles a sight to behold, clearly the result of rigorous training and strict self–discipline.
His waist, shoulders and back bore the marks of past battles – scars and bullet wounds of varying depths and
sizes.
Fresh from a “workout“, sweat still glistened on his skin, the testosterone practically radiating off him.
Elian unwrapped the bandages from his fists, his face remaining impassive, though a hint of menace lingered. “I just haven’t had a sparring partner lately,” he curled his lips. “You volunteered, so I reluctantly obliged.” Jasper gritted his teeth, oscillating between indignation and resignation before finally choosing to accept his situation. He headed to the conveniently placed mini–fridge to grab some ice for his bruised face.
“It’s been years, and you showed up just to punch me?” he complained, feeling thoroughly wronged. He hadn’t realized Elian was so touchy about Miranda.
Miranda and Sebastian had been on reality TV recently, and he’d casually brought it up. Their rumored romance was creating quite the buzz online.
He had only said, “Miranda and Sebastian might really have something going on. He may actually mean it. With Sebastian’s charm, winning over young Miranda should be a breeze.”
And that earned him a beating. His face was now a swollen mess.
08:29
Chapter 115
Was it really necessary? As a kid, he’d always been thrashed by Elian. After all these years apart, some things never changed.
