Chapter: Social Climber:

CONTRACT MARRIAGE:03:

'Climbing the social ladder?'

When Miranda heard these words, she thought that they were nothing but a bunch of cranky jokes,Which doesn't bring a smile to anyone's face. 

They were jokes and nothing else.

However, Mirabda couldn't bring herself to process and accept the insult hauled at her so casually. When reality, she has been doing everything to make sure that her sister lives. How could he address her as a social climber just like that?

Miranda's chest rose and fell back instantly .“If I really was just busy doing that. Then , how could the Quentin Corporation end up in a state like this?” The pain in her chest could be felt in the tone of her voice as she stared up at Lucas, who was determined to humiliate her. However, she didn't want to hold back anymore.

She wanted to yell out her grievances with a loud voice without minding  what anybody thinks. She wanted to speak with a loud, carefree voice and the world will be forced to listen to the pain in her voice. 

Her drooping eyes were filled with unshed tears which has also grown to become an ocean of endless abyss–The hollow in her sockets gawked at the young man and woman with so much hatred that could not be described with reference.

 She hated them and she wants them to know how much she does!

She hadn't had the chance to yell out grievance as someone from outside of the door was calling for the bride and groom to hurry up since everyone was waiting for them.

She raised her pale, painful eyes to look at the disgusting couple , who look like they were made for each other.

Lucas hugged Maya's waist and said in a low ,gentle voice.“Honey ,let's go” 

After saying this , Lucas held Maya tightly and turned around in an attempt to go out of the room. However, they were suddenly forced to stop in their tracks when they heard the voice of the woman calling out to them from behind. 

  “Wait!” Miranda held her torn clothes together in one hand ,and stretch out her other hand.“You haven't paid yet”  The tone of her voice was firm and the look in her eyes were filled with determination.

At this  moment, it looks as if she had lost all sense of dignity and respect. It seems like she had finally accepted the identity forced down on her by society.

Seeing the looks in her eyes and the tone of her voice. Lucas was infuriated.

At that moment, the murderous glimmer in Lucas's darkened eyes almost made Miranda lose her composure. However, she was determined to the money from him.

After shooting her a few dangerous look. He groggily walked to a table. He couksnt get his eyes off the most disgusting woman in his sight. However, he still took out a cheque and a pen from his pocket. He quickly signed it and tossed it over.“Its only half done. Twenty-five thousand  dollars for you”

Miranda picked up the cheque on the floor and looked at the man , who had just left.

She used to love and adore this man like he was everything to her. She even took responsibility for his short comings and helped him out of his crisis. She has never imagined that he would end up repaying her this way. All that doesn't matter any more.

Her pale eyes became blurry...

Her clothes were already torn beyond repair , and she could only find a tablecloth in the lounge to wrap around herself.Fortunately, the guests were up at the center stage. Therefore, nobody noticed her. Because of this, it was easy for her to sneak out without being noticed.

As she went out of the place, she heard the groom say gently , “I do”

Even though, she didn't want to witness the union of the most horrible couple in the world, she was still forced to hear them exchanging vows and promises just like real couples do.

Looking at Lucas at this moment, no one would believe that he was just about to get indulged with her a few minutes back.

The way he said it was so firm as if he was taking a solemn oath. Miranda couldn't help but feel bitter inside, but she only lowered her head and quickly left in large strides.

The thought of what Lucas and Maya did to her left her mind wondering in the shadows of darkness and she couldn't bring herself to let go of it.

She rushed all the way to the hospital. However, her mind was too preoccupied that she didn't realize anything, when someone , who was riding a motorcycle passed by and managed to snatch her bag from her grip.

Only then did she jumped out of her trance.

Miranda was stunned and hurriedly chased after him, but how could she catch up with someone who was riding on a motorcycle?

She watched helplessly as the motorcycle disappeared with the bag that contains the twenty five thousand dollars which could save her sister's life.

Her voice was choked within her lungs and she couldn't bring herself to shout either.

Unable to get a grip over her wobbling little legs, Miranda fell to the ground in despair. She could only stand up when someone pass by to help her call the police.

It was already afternoon by the time, she was done with the process of reporting the incident to the police.

 

Only then , she hurriedly returned to the hospital , but she was only at the door of the intensive care unit ward when she saw the doctor coming over in a hurry.

“Why didn't you take your call? Your sister's surgery just required a signature , and none of her family members were there to sign for her...”

“How is my sister doing , doctor?”  Miranda met the doctor half way down the corridor and asked.

“We can only treat her cautiously ” The doctor sighed.“ Fortunately she has recovered now. Anyway, have you paid your follow up fees?” He turned his gaze toward her before asking with a knowing look.

“I–” Miranda lowered her pale eyes and summoned the courage to answer.“Im still thinking of a way out” She said.

Under the complicated gaze of the doctor , she walked out of the hospital building and headed to a nearby store to buy a cheap phone for a few hundred dollars. She transferred her sim card and waited anxiously for a call from the police station.

She waited for a long Time but she still didn't receive any information about about the whereabouts of her bag or the thief. She waited unto it was already night time when she was finally notified that the thief has been caught, but the money has already been transferred into a bank account, so it would a take a little while longer for her to get it back.

Miranda felt numb in her scalp upon hearing this news.She held her head tightly , trying her very best to stay calm .Her sister's life was at stake. If she could not pay up the follow-up fees, then she would have to hold herself responsible for the outcome...

Sighing, she made a quick decision and went home to pack all of her things. It was said to be everything , but in fact , it was only two boxes.

She called the landlord that night and even knelt down to beg him for a long time before he finally agrees to refund her the remaining five thousand dollars from her advance rent and deposit.

Then she dragged her luggage all the way across the streets.She didn't even know where she was supposed to go from here. When finally came up to the bridge, she stopped and sat along the lines. She watched the bright moon hanging in the sky, illuminating the dark abyss.

A glimmer of thought suddenly flashed into her mind, as she thought “At this time Lucas and Maya should be having their honeymoon, right?”

Thinking of this, she felt the pang of pain in her chest growing bigger and more painful. She didn't even realize when a thin line of tear dropped down her cheek.

She looked very pitiful.

Miranda woke up with an unbearable body pain and a headache early in the morning of the next day. She didn't realized that she had fallen asleep and ended up spending her entire night on the side of the bridge.

Upon waking up , she looked around the place. Then, she bent over and cleaned herself.

After tidying up herself as best as she could , she bent over and picked up her luggage and continue her endless walk. While walking along the street, her gaze soon fell on a pawn shop nearby. She looked down at the glittering ring in her palm.

It was something her mother had told her never to lose sight of ,but she was already at her wit's end to care about such sentiments.

       She didn't have any right to act cheeky and neither does she have the rights to be choosy.

The Pawn shop clerk couldn't see the value of the ring, however, he asked Miranda to wait for a while , and he walked inside.

Coincidentally, the pawn shop owner who rarely ever come to the shop, was here today. When he saw the clerk holding something , he casually asked, “What is it? What is that in your hand?”.

The clerk's eyes grew wide when realized that it was the big boss. Since this was his first time meeting him in person, he was trembling slightly as he said.“ Sir, I was just about to let Max have a look at it”

“Let me have a look at it” The man stretch his hand and requested for the item.

He took the ring handed over by the young man, and when he saw the patterns and inscriptions on the ring, he suddenly raised his head.

“Who's the owner? Take him to the reception room, I want to see him right now! ”  The man ordered with an authoritative tone. The expression on his face has suddenly changed.

With that, he quickly made a phone call.