Chapter 2283

The car pulled out smoothly, but Miranda’s mind was anything but steady.

Every second felt stretched thin.

Outside, the city moved like it always did—cars flowing, people walking, nothing out of place. But inside the car, everything felt like it was on the edge of collapsing.

Miranda stared straight ahead.

Felix.

That was the only thing she could still hold onto.

No matter what happened to her, she couldn’t let it drag him down with her.

“Drive faster,” she said suddenly.

The driver hesitated. “Madam, traffic—”

“I said faster.”

Her tone left no room for argument.

The driver pressed the accelerator a little more, though the road ahead barely allowed it.

Miranda clenched her hands in her lap.

She had already made up her mind.

Once she got Felix, they would leave immediately. No delays. No second chances. As long as they were out of Tudela, out of everyone’s reach, she could still salvage something.

But beneath that determination, something else lingered—

A growing, quiet dread.

Because no matter how fast she moved now…

Someone else had already moved faster.

That photograph hadn’t appeared by accident.

It had been timed.

First the shift in public opinion about Jonathan.

Then the apology.

Then, just when things started to calm down—

The real blow landed.

Clean. Precise. Ruthless.

Miranda’s breathing tightened.

“…Cecilia.”

The name slipped out under her breath.

Who else could it be?

Who else had both the motive and the ability?

Her nails dug into her palm.

She had underestimated her.

She thought Cecilia would stop after protecting her child.

But instead—

Cecilia had drawn a line… and then gone one step further.

The car slowed as it approached the school gates.

Parents were gathered outside, some picking up their children, some chatting.

Everything looked normal.

Too normal.

Miranda stepped out of the car, her heels hitting the ground sharply.

The moment she appeared, a few heads turned.

Whispers followed almost instantly.

She could feel it.

Even without hearing the words, she knew.

The news had already spread here too.

Miranda straightened her back, forcing her expression into its usual composed mask, and walked forward.

No matter what they thought—

She wouldn’t show weakness.

Not here.

Not now.

Because the moment she did—

Everything would fall apart even faster.