Chapter 5 Bad Reputation

Miranda nervously bit her lip, then answered, "Yes, I took them."

She then began to limp away.

Her legs ached so intensely that she broke into a sweat.

Leland watched her departing figure, his expression growing somber.

People wondered about Leland's motive for taking Miranda horse riding.

Could he have feelings for her?

But now, as she stumbled back, her hair in disarray, it was clear she'd had a tough time with Leland. People couldn't resist sneering mockingly at her predicament.

As a mere adopted daughter, she should have felt honored to be involved with a Murphy, yet she dared to charm Leland.

"Let me drive you home," Edwin proposed, his voice icy.

"I have my car," Miranda responded.

Edwin scoffed, "Can you even drive in your condition?"

Miranda felt a stabbing pain in her legs. Changing, she noticed the inner sides of her thighs were red and swollen. In the end, she followed Edwin into his car.

As they drove from the resort, Edwin asked coldly, "What did you talk about with Leland?"

"Nothing."

"You know who he is. Your words attempting to stir trouble between me and Maggie won't have any effect on him."

"If you love her, you should end our engagement and be with her openly, not sneak around like it's an affair."

"Miranda Martin!" Edwin abruptly hit the brakes. Miranda nearly collided with the dashboard. "You don't need to provoke me. You're not leaving until the Martin family is ruined."

"Shame on you!"

"When my family faced trouble, your Martin family crushed my self-esteem and pushed me into this engagement. Isn't that shameless?"

Miranda wasn't well-versed in business matters. She had believed Edwin's engagement to her was willingly, but it all turned out like this.

"Miranda, stay away from the Adams family. They're too powerful for you to handle."

"Edwin, I'm warning you. Don't lay your hand on any Martin. Or else, you saw Leland and me earlier. If you push me, I might just marry him and become your aunt-in-law! Let's wait and see," Miranda declared, her anger clear.

Fuming, Edwin commanded, "Get out of my car."

Miranda gave a scornful laugh, opened the door, and stepped out.

His refusal to break off the engagement wasn't out of love but to degrade her and her family.

That was why he'd been tolerating this for five years.

He was so heartless!

He hated her while she dreamt of a lifetime together with him. The irony was quite laughable.

Watching his car disappear into the distance, Miranda couldn't help but let her tears flow.

She hailed a taxi and returned home. Upon reaching home, it was just past lunchtime. Her uncle and aunt were absent, and the maid was clearing the table of the remaining dishes. Spotting Miranda's arrival, she swiftly gathered all the plates and carried them to the kitchen.

Miranda held no sway in this household, to the point that even the maid regarded her with disdain.

Back in her room, she pondered deeply.

Seeking Leland's help seemed like her best choice to escape the clutches of the Martin family and Edwin.

But how could she approach someone as noble and imposing as him?

She unlocked her mobile phone and initiated a web search for Leland Adams.

There was little information about him, and the only available photo was of his back.

Captured on a rainy day, he was clad in a black suit, holding a black umbrella, with two people following him. Even from behind, his authoritative aura was unmistakable.

He was the second son in his family, with an older brother.

The Adams family, a name similar to power in Yueland, commanded respect for generations. Leland, a former army man, had only joined the Golden Group after his military service. Known for his bold strategies, he quickly cemented his place in the business world.

On the Internet, online sources mentioned that he had a son, but details such as the child's name and age remained unknown.

As Miranda pulled out the one-million-dollar check from her pocket, her mind drifted into contemplation.

**

The Golden Group's headquarters were in Yueland City. Despite Leland's low-key visit to Idence City, his location was traceable.

As Miranda entered a spa resort, she immediately caught the eyes of many patrons.

Her beauty and creamy skin were striking, and her tunic dress highlighted her slender waist. A man whispered to her, their closeness apparent.

"Mr. Adams, are you acquainted with that lady, Miranda? I heard you took her on a horse the other day. Is that true?" The man beside Leland warned, "You should keep your distance from her. She's an adoptee of the Martin family and doesn't have the best reputation."