Miranda raised an eyebrow, looking at Sebastian with a hint of curiosity. Her gaze lingered on Sebastian''s handsome face before it dropped to his physique.


    "I have a thing for good-looking... anatomical specimens."


    As a medical student, Miranda had a particr appreciation for the ideal human form. Of course, her interest went beyond appearances; she valued what''s on the "inside", like bones, muscles, nerves, and organs.


    The first part of her statement brought a slight smile to Sebastian''s lips, but thetter part left it hanging awkwardly in ce.


    Yet, with his ability to adapt, he quickly recovered. Half-joking and half-serious, he said as he gazed at Miranda, "Well, when I die, you can have my body."


    There was an almost imperceptible pampering in his words.


    Miranda took it as a joke andughed, responding easily, "Deal."


    Sebastian''s intense gazes deepened at her reply, a smile ying at the corners of his lips as he watched her.


    The hotel''s warm lighting cast a glow on his features, and the reflection from his sses made his gentle, handsome face seem sprinkled with stardust.


    But Miranda, having given her answer, had already turned her attention elsewhere, so she didn''t catch his gaze. She noticed a couple of people snapping photos of them.


    "I heard they''re shipping us as a couple?" Miranda inquired.


    Sebastian nced at them and countered, "What''s wrong with that?"


    Miranda recalled a conversation with Marion and said bluntly, "Mr. Smith advised against it. He said it could hurt my career if we get linked as a couple."


    Sebastian was momentarily speechless. Who was this Mr. Smith?


    On the other side, Jasper clutched his swollen cheek, looking utterly miserable. "I just made a fewments about Sebastian and Miranda having chemistry. Did you


    really need to hit me so hard You


    Elian stood shirtless, his toned muscles a sight to behold, clearly the result of rigorous training and strict self-discipline.


    His waist, shoulders and back bore the marks of past battles - scars and bullet wounds of varying depths and sizes.


    Fresh from a "workout", sweat still glistened on his skin, the testosterone practically radiating off him. Elian unwrapped the bandages from his fists, his face remaining impassive, though a hint of menace lingered.


    "I just haven''t had a sparring partnertely," he curled his lips. "You volunteered, so I reluctantly obliged."


    Jasper gritted his teeth, osciting between indignation and resignation before finally choosing to ept his situation. He headed to the


    conveniently ced mini-fridgeline


    grab some ice for his bruised face.


    "It''s been years, and you showed up just to punch me?" heined, feeling thoroughly wronged. He hadn''t realized Elian was so touchy about Miranda.


    Miranda and Sebastian had been on reality TV recently, and he''d casually brought it up. Their rumored romance was creating quite the buzz online.


    He had only said, "Miranda and


    Sebastian might really have


    something going on. He may


    actually mean it. With Sebastian''s


    charm, winning over young Miranda should be a breeze."


    And that earned him a beating. His face was now a swollen mess.


    Was it really necessary? As a kid, he''d always been thrashed by Elian. After all these years apart, some things never changed.