Tempting Fate With The Tycoon

It was common knowledge that Miranda Martin had feelings for Edwin Murphy.

However, people had no idea that Edwin hadn't shown affection towards her in the last five years.

On the phone, Miranda spoke with a hint of hope. "Edwin, it's our engagement's 5th anniversary. When are you planning to come?"

She had been waiting in a hotel's top-floor suite decorated with balloons and roses. The call connected at nine, even though their meeting was set for seven.

"I'm tied up right now," Edwin responded, his voice devoid of warmth.

"What's keeping you so busy?" Miranda barely finished her question when a soft cry echoed from Edwin's end.

"Edwin, that hurts!"

A pang of distress hit Miranda. She managed to ask, "Are you with Maggie Adams?"

"She's had an accident," Edwin replied, his tone frosty.

"Why must you be there with her?" Miranda's voice quivered as she continued, "Or in your heart, she's more important than I am?"

"Must we argue about this now?" Edwin's impatience was evident.

Miranda felt a wave of disappointment wash over her for a moment. Her eyes reddened, and her heart sank, with a shiver through her entire body.

She opened her mouth and finally said, "If that's the case, let's call off our engagement."

She expected Edwin to offer some words of consolation.

To her shock, he just ended the call.

Miranda laughed bitterly at herself, tears streaking her face. What had she been hoping for?

She reached for a bottle of wine and gulped it down.

By eleven at night, she finally left the suite.

Stepping into the elevator, she glanced back and noticed a man outside.

He stood tall in a black suit, with a defined face and a furrowed brow that gave him an imposing air.

The man was checking her out from head to toe.

She wore an elegant dark green bodycon dress, accentuating her slender waist and long legs. Her flushed cheeks resembled blooming peach blossoms, and her almond-shaped eyes and thin eyebrows added to her charm. Her movements were captivating and seductive.

She exuded an alluring charm.

But the scent of alcohol on her dimmed his expression. He hesitated at the elevator entrance when, unexpectedly, the woman inside stepped forward.

She reached out, playfully grabbing his tie and pulling him into the elevator.

In the next moment, she fell into his arms, the heat of her body taking him by surprise. His entire body tensed instantly in response to her sudden proximity.

Caught off guard, he found the woman in his embrace reaching up to kiss him.

Her lips were gentle and warm.

Yet, she swayed unsteadily, nearly slipping from his grasp. Just in time, he caught her by the waist to steady her.

Their bodies pressed tightly against each other, sending waves of excitement coursing through Miranda.

Regaining her senses, she found herself pinned against the elevator wall by the man. The wall was chilly, yet the man's passionate kisses were both commanding and intense.

She couldn't handle both the heat and the cold at once, letting out a groan like a little kitten.

Her voice was enticing, adding to her allure.

As the elevator descended, it felt like she was being drawn deeper into a whirlpool of desire.

"Ding!" The chime of the elevator signaled their arrival on the ground floor.

Their intimate moment was interrupted.

With her hand still clasped around his tie, Miranda whispered, "Take me away."

The woman before him was so frail that she leaned on him, her warm breath brushing against his face.

It was a tempting moment.

The man's gaze grew intense, and he swallowed hard.

They understood each other's intentions with just a glance, especially given her forward approach.

As the man entered the hotel room, he pushed Miranda against the wall. The cold metal of his belt buckle pressed against her abdomen, making her shiver slightly. He whispered in her ear, his breath warm and urgent, "Help me."

The room was pitch dark. Miranda, with shaky hands, reached for the belt buckle.

However, being inexperienced and a bit dizzy from the alcohol, she struggled to untie it.

Lifting her head, she sought assistance, saying, "I can't do it."

Her voice was so soft, stirring something in him.

He chuckled and offered, "Let me teach you."

His tone was tender and kind.

He reached out but hesitated as his palm covered the back of her hand.

"Huh? What's wrong?" She looked up at him, her cheeks reddening.

He held her hand gently, noticing a diamond ring on her left middle finger. With a puzzled look, he asked, "Are you engaged?"

"Yes."

"So you're here just for fun?" He looked at her intently, one eyebrow raised.

"Can't I?" Miranda replied with an indifferent smile.

If Edwin could sneak around with Maggie, why should she hold onto her integrity for him?

The man's gaze turned piercing, his eyes like daggers as he cornered her against the wall. His breath, once scorching, now chilled as he issued a warning. "You've got a fiancé. Don't even think about fooling around with me. I'm afraid you can't handle the consequences!"

"How can you be so sure unless you give it a shot?" Miranda asked, giving him a challenging gaze.

It was her way of asking, "Can't you handle it?"

Considering their sexual tension, it seemed alright for them to have a one night stand.

However, he refrained from intimate encounters with anyone in a committed relationship.

It would lead to complications.

But now, she was unbuckling his belt, her fingers deftly pulling at it while gazing up at him with big doe eyes.

The allure was undeniable.

He wasn't one to fuss around. He lifted her and gently placed her on the bed.

Miranda's kisses were fiery yet inexperienced.

Despite her boldness, fueled by alcohol, she was somewhat anxious. She gripped his collar tightly, bit her lip, and shivered.

He extended his hand and softly reassured her with a deep, husky tone, "Don't bottle it up. Just let it out!"

Following that, things spiraled out of hand.

The room was shrouded in darkness, with moonlight drifting through the window, casting shadows that danced with their movements.

Afterward, he got up and tenderly helped her clean up. A glimpse of red on the sheets caught his eye, causing a slight frown.

He never engaged in intimate relationships with women who had boyfriends or were virgins.

He dreaded getting caught up in complications.

Yet, tonight, he'd broken his own rules, one after another.

Beneath the moonlight, he lit a cigarette, his gaze lingering on the woman sleeping peacefully on the bed.

Her face was captivating, with alluring eyes. Clad in a dress that accentuated her slender waist, she was very tempting.

She was exactly his type.

Making an exception didn't seem like such a bad idea.

**

The following morning.

Waking up, Miranda felt sore and exhausted, her head throbbing. Memories of the previous night, including the man's distant, reserved face, flooded back.

She indeed had sex with a stranger last night!

As a doctor, she trusted her physical symptoms.

Her torn dress was a stark reminder of their wild night, yet the man was nowhere to be seen. He had vanished swiftly despite their intense closeness.

Taking a deep breath, Miranda noticed several items by the bedside: new clothes, underwear, a check for a million, and a box of morning-after pills.

Miranda quickly showered, changed into fresh clothes, and took the pills. She gave the check a brief look before pocketing it decisively.

On her way home, she called her department head to request leave, deciding against going to the hospital for work.

As she got home and pushed the door open, her face received a slap before she could react.

"Stephen, why did you hit her?" Rita Martin intervened, stepping in to stop the assaulter.

Stephen Martin's response was cold. "We have provided for her for over 20 years. She agreed to marry Edwin, but now, she's trying to break off the engagement without my consent. She's defying me."

"Uncle Stephen, I don't want to marry Edwin," Miranda said firmly, meeting his gaze.

"You owe us gratitude for taking you in after your parents died. Would you have had such a good life otherwise? Go ahead and apologize to Edwin now. If he doesn't accept it, don't bother returning!"

After saying that, Stephen left.

Miranda's face, usually soft and clear, now sported a red, swollen mark from the slap.

"Mira, your uncle didn't mean it. He is just in a fit of anger," Rita said soothingly, gently applying an ice-packed towel to Miranda's cheek.

"Edwin called this morning. He threatened to pull his investment from our company if you broke off the engagement. The company hasn't been doing well, you know, and his support has been crucial. Could you please talk to him and try to change his mind?"

While Stephen was harsh, Rita genuinely cared for Miranda.

Miranda reluctantly nodded her agreement.

**

Miranda wasn't willing to settle; she just wanted a peaceful resolution with Edwin.

She tried calling him but received no answer.

Then she noticed a post from an acquaintance. "Spotted Edwin and Maggie together. They look like the perfect couple."

The location of this post was Lakeside Resort.

Miranda discovered Edwin at the racecourse, assisting a lady with a horse.

The lady, striking and self-assured, glanced at Miranda dismissively. She was Maggie, from the prominent Adams family of Yueland.

The smile on Edwin's face was unlike anything Miranda had ever witnessed before.

During the peak of summer, the sun blazed with an intense and uncomfortable brightness.

Upon seeing her, Edwin approached her with a somber expression. "What brings you here?"

"I need to speak with you," Miranda responded.

"Can't you see I'm occupied at the moment?"

"Are you too busy attending to another woman?"

"Let's discuss this later. And don't cause a scene here."

At that moment, a man returned on horseback.

With a single hand on the reins and an impassive, cold demeanor, he exuded elegance and allure in his black riding attire. Miranda was taken aback when their eyes met.

This man was...

As he got off the horse, Maggie quickly followed suit and rushed over. Wearing a charming smile, she greeted, "Uncle."

His response was detached, leaving Miranda in shock.

He was the president of the Golden Group.

Leland Adams!

He was known as Mr. Adams in the words of others.

His fame was such that nobody dared to cross him.

Removing his gloves, he cast a cursory glance at Miranda. "And who might this be..."

"She's a friend of mine." Edwin quickly interjected.

Miranda felt a pang of sadness at his words.

In his effort to please the Adams family, Edwin avoided acknowledging their relationship.

"Since she's your friend, go change and join us," Leland said casually.

Under Leland's authority, Edwin couldn't oppose him and asked Miranda to change her attire.

**

Outside the dressing room.

Once dressed, Miranda removed her ring and attempted to take off the necklace she was wearing.

The rule was to avoid wearing jewelry during horse riding to prevent entanglement accidents.

Struggling with the clasp, which remained elusive, Miranda started to feel a bit frantic. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. Before she could turn around, she felt someone's hands gently at the back of her neck.

Her first instinct was to look back, but she was softly instructed.

"Stay still." The voice belonged to Leland.