Chapter 118

“I love you the same way you pine for Miranda. You’re chasing a dream you can’t catch, and I’m here longing for you, knowing I’m not the one you’ll choose. If you’re asking what I want, it’s just to be near you,” Ingrid said softly, her eyes earnest and filled with a raw, humble truth.

Hansel felt a deep stir in his heart, like a gentle strum on a lonely guitar string. “Don’t worry, I’ll look out for you from now on. I promise you won’t get hurt on my watch.”

Ingrid smiled, settling comfortably against his chest, her arm wrapping snugly around his waist. “I know. I’ve always trusted that,” she said, her voice smooth and sweet.

Hansel pulled her closer, but a strange weight pressed down on his heart.

The mishap at the event was severe, and the hotel crew hurried to manage the fallout. Given it was a safety concern, the manager immediately called the police.

That evening, the police arrived to question everyone involved. As expected, they didn’t find anything significant and ultimately wrote it off as an unfortunate accident. After all, this was the tropics, and with the thick woods near the hotel, snakes weren’t uncommon.

“But venomous snakes aren’t exactly common around here, are they?” Winter asked sharply.

“Well…”

“And for one to appear in a crowded area on the beach? Now, that’s mighty peculiar, don’t you think?”

The police exchanged uneasy glances while the hotel manager was speechless.

Winter scoffed. “This is the second time my friend’s been in danger on this island. I’m telling you—this isn’t over! Mimi, let’s go!”

She took Miranda’s hand and left with determination.

Once they were away from the crowd, Miranda tried to calm her. “Alright, calm down. It’s not worth getting upset about.”

“You were almost hurt, and you’re so calm about it? I’m more worried than you are!”

Miranda cracked a slight smile. “Winning or losing isn’t decided in one go.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Do you have a plan?”

Miranda shook her head. “No.”

Winter was speechless. “You’ve been dodging danger left and right. Mimi, it worries me. What if… something worse happens?”

“I have a plan for that,” Miranda said.

“What’s that?” Winter blinked.

“Take a guess.”

Miranda and Winter hadn’t touched their food. After the commotion and fright, their appetites finally returned. They went to the restaurant and ate a hearty meal.

Once they finished, Winter received a call. Grinning, she left for a date.

Miranda didn’t return to her room. Instead, she strolled north along the beach after leaving the restaurant.

After about five minutes, a line of twinkling lights appeared in the distance. A rich, savory smell—almost like garlic-roasted lamb—drifted from afar.

She wondered if the people from Marvedis enjoyed this kind of thing.

Drawn by the enticing scent, Miranda found herself in front of a shop. She glanced up and saw “The Scented Treasure” emblazoned in bold Hebranian script above the entrance. She wondered if Hebranians owned the place.

Miranda pushed open the door, expecting a restaurant, but found herself in an antique shop.

The shop owner was cooking garlic-roasted lamb, which explained the delicious aroma. The shop was cozy, with shelves lining the walls. Only the shelf by the door held antiques; the others were filled with a mix of quirky and unusual trinkets.

Suddenly, a small, somewhat stern yet charming figurine caught Miranda’s attention. It was no larger than the palm of her hand, but the craftsmanship was exceptional. Every detail was finely crafted, from the wrinkles on its shirt to the delicate gold-rimmed glasses on its nose.