Chapter 405
Mirabella’s expression darkened the moment she heard the old man’s blatant lie.
Why on earth had she reached out to help him? She hadn’t even pocketed the five million from the ad deal yet, and was this already shaping up to be a financial fiasco?
“Sir, this is a school, and there are cameras everywhere. Your scam is pointless!” Mirabella ground out through clenched teeth.
The old man’s eyes widened then narrowed, his voice whining and wheezing, “Oh, my head is spinning… I feel so unwell… You can’t just walk away after knocking me over…”
Mirabella was speechless.
There weren’t many students milling about the campus at this time. Still, the few who were there hesitated to approach, seeing Mirabella holding onto the elderly man who was complaining of feeling unwell. Nonetheless, a responsible student quickly whipped out their phone and dialed for an ambulance.
Unable to free herself without seeming forceful, Mirabella found herself inexplicably roped into the old man’s charade. Before she knew it, she was being tugged into the ambulance alongside him.
Even when they arrived at the hospital for a check–up, the man wouldn’t let go of her hand, claiming he feared she might flee.
In the hospital room, post–examination.
Mirabella sat stone–faced, gazing at the old man who was now making himself comfortable in the hospital bed, still clutching her clothes.
“I want some fruit salad; you better go get me some,” the old man demanded with no hint of politeness.
“I’m broke, got nothing, so forget about it!” Mirabella replied coldly.
“You knocked me down, and you’re still so brash, not a shred of respect for the old man huffed, trying to provoke her.
your elders!”
“Sorry, but in all my years, I’ve never seen someone as audacious and scammy as you,” Mirabella shot back.
A flicker of guilt crossed the old man’s eyes, but his face remained defiant. “I don’t care. You hit me, and it’s your job to take care of me now.”
He paused, then added, “Otherwise, I’ll go to your school and make a scene every day.”
“Be my guest!” Mirabella shrugged nonchalantly, then stood up, easily pulling her clothing
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from his grasp.
The old man sat upright in alarm, pursing his lips and staring at Mirabella, “Trying to make a run for it?”
Mirabella glanced back at him emotionlessly and said, “Yes.” After smoothing out her clothes, she added, “Taking you to the hospital was purely out of goodwill. Don’t think for a moment that you’ve got one over on me.”
She pulled out her phone, tapped on the keypad with the last ounce of her patience, and asked, “So, what’s your family’s phone number?”
At that, the old man lying in the bed fell silent. He slid down, pulled the blanket over himself, and turned his back to Mirabella.
“Just leave me be. Let this lonely old man fade away on his own,” he mumbled miserably.
Mirabella massaged her temples. In the past, she would’ve walked away without a second thought, but now she was somehow letting this man take advantage of her.
Checking the time, she gave him one last look and said, “Well, you take care. I’ve got classes to attend.” With that, she strode out of the room.
The sound of the door closing echoed through the hall.
Was she really gone?
The old man’s eyes shot open, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly threw off the blanket and sat up with surprising agility.
Had Mirabella been there, she would have seen that the old man had none of the frailty he had feigned earlier. His movements were quick and nothing like the slow, shuffling gait he had pretended to have.
