When fate plays its hand

Chapter 1014

“Whoa!” Olivia gasped.

Paul and Miranda turned to look behind them. Their gazes locked with Olivia and Christine’s, and an awkward silence followed.

Miranda was the first to stand up. “Dr. Young…”

Christine snapped out of her shock. Her lips parted as if to speak, but it took her a few seconds to find her voice. “You and Paul?”

The next second, he calmly took Miranda’s hand and said, “Dr. Young, we’re in a relationship.”

She froze momentarily, and her eyes were fixed on Paul as though she were seeing a different side of him. Then, she smiled warmly. “That’s great. When did this happen?”

“We just got together not long ago,” he replied.

“I was wondering why you’re visiting me at this hour, Christine said with a teasing look. “It turns out that you have other intentions.”

Paul coughed lightly to cover his awkwardness.

“Take a seat.” Christine gestured. “Olivia, pass him the rice pudding.”

Olivia was still in disbelief as she tried to process the revelation. “Paul, Miranda–are you telling me you two are dating?”

Miranda nodded.

“So, does this mean both of you will visit Dr. Young together from now on?” Olivia asked.

“Looks like I’ll have to ask you to make an extra dish for one more person,” Miranda said..

“That’s not an issue. Don’t even worry about that. Heck, even if you two get married and have kids, bring them over–I wouldn’t mind at all,” Olivia said.

Everyone froze and was unsure how to respond. No one could follow that up.

After Paul finished a bowl of rice pudding, Christine asked, “Do you want more?”

He shook his head. “I’m good.”

“Alright. Come with me to the study.”

A puzzled expression crossed his face.

Miranda couldn’t resist her curiosity and instinctively wanted to follow them, but Olivia stopped her.” Don’t go,” she said.

“Why?” Miranda asked.

Olivia glanced toward the direction the two had just gone and said softly, “Don’t eavesdrop, and don’t ask any questions. Just remember this–Dr. Young will always have your back, no matter what happens.”

Her words only deepened Miranda’s confusion.

In the study, Christine’s smile had faded and was replaced by a serious expression. “Paul, you’ve always been someone I can count on, Whether in academics of life, you handle everything with ease. I trust you and Miranda have thought this through before deciding to be together.”

He nodded. “Yes. I’m serious about her.”

She added, “Miranda’s been through a lot in her past relationship. It took her six years to see the other person’s true nature, and after that, she had to rebuild her life from scratch.

“Everything she’s achieved since then is because of her own determination. We all know how much she’s been through.

“That’s why I care about her so much. I just hope you won’t be like Hansel, who hurts her and makes her endure that pain again.”

How many years could a woman afford to waste on the wrong person?

Paul’s face turned serious. “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

“Good. Just remember what you said today.” Christine s tone softened slightly. “But there’s one more thing I have to remind you.”

“Go ahead,” he replied.

“For me, you and Miranda are both my students. Seeing the two of you together makes me happy, and it’s something worth celebrating.”

“But to everyone else, you’re a professor at Bedford College, and she’s still a postgraduate student. Technically, that puts you in a teacher–student relationship.”

“Society today is more open about who people can love, but not everything is free from scrutiny. People might believe you and Miranda are innocent, but the public’s perception could be different. As the saying goes, ‘A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.‘

“In situations like this, the woman often bears the brunt of the judgment. She might face accusations of ulterior motives, while you, as a man, will likely escape scrutiny. You understand what I’m saying?” noveldrama

Once the relationship became public, it would undoubtedly cause a stir on campus.

Paul was a professor, while Miranda was still a student By societal standards, their relationship was naturally out of bounds.

No one would accuse him of taking advantage of his students, but many would label her as someone who seduced her professor to get what she wanted.

Christine sighed. “I know this is blunt, but you should understand–smart people avoid putting themselves in risky positions.” 1

He nodded. “I understand. I’ll handle it.”

She breathed a sigh of reli