"What''s this?" Miranda eyed the stack of documents Elian had just ced in front of her.


    She''d just dropped by to check on Elian''s injury. She was barely through the door, and he''d already had someone set the papers down before her.


    "You''ll know once you take a look," Elian replied, a smile ying on his lips.


    He usually had his hair slicked back, but today his bangs hung loose, soft and smooth. He looked a little more gentle than his usual edgy self, like a big, tail-wagging shepherd.


    Miranda picked up the stack, clearly puzzled. Just then, she noticed Elian was undressing. "What are you doing?"


    Elian was halfway through taking off his shirt, revealing his abdomen, his V-line abs conspicuous.


    Elian gave her an innocent look. "Taking off my clothes, how else are you going to check my injury then?" Miranda spared him a nce before turning her attention back to the documents. As she skimmed through, her eyes narrowed.


    The papers detailed years of incidents involving Dorian and Arabe. Maximus had been investigating, but Elian''s files were far moreprehensive than his.


    They chronicled numerous misdeeds tied to Arabe, along with the illegal and hical deeds the four Hawke brothers hadmitted, like the mysterious disappearances or expulsions of anyone who crossed her path even since Arabe started school.


    There were ounts of Arabe bullying ssmates, even driving one to despair-induced suicide, with the parentsing to her for an exnation yet the Hawke brothers paying them off to keep quiet. And the Cathy case, revealing more connections and crimes involving the Hawke family.


    In fact, Maximus had been looked into these cases, yet Elian''s documents appeared more exhaustive. He even got the statement from the police files.


    "How long have you known?" Miranda asked, setting the documents aside. Her question was about herself being the scapegoat.


    While at the moment, Elian''s shirt was off, and she couldn''t help but notice his bare torso. She frowned slightly.


    Elian smiled, leaning abruptly close to Miranda, and his whole body pounced forward, stopping just inches from her face with his hands supported by the sofa. His heated breath brushed pass her nose; a dangerous wild air engulfed her.


    "Since the first time I met you," Elian''s lips curled, his voice seemingly suppressed an emotion as he bored into Miranda. "After all, you''ve imed me being your ''son'', haven''t you?"


    But no sooner had he spoken than he winced, a look of difort crossing his face. His whole body seemed to lock up, unable to move an inch.


    Eyes narrowed, Elian noticed a small silver needle protruding from his wrist out of nowhere, her expression deepening.


    With a casual flick of her hand, Miranda pushed him back onto the couch and stood up smoothly. "Talking is fine, but no need for the theatrics."


    She looked at Elian, now slumped and powerless on the couch, her eyebrow slightly moving. He seemed oddlypliant, almost docile.


    She couldn''t resist a mischievous smirk. "Be good, and call me ''Dad'', and I''ll take that needle out."


    Brows furrowed tightly, Elian stared


    at her, his gaze tinged with


    vel


    grievance, his lips pressed into a stubborn Hine, looking for all the world like a man unwilling to surrender, which aroused her


    devilish nature.


    Miranda bent down and yfully scratched his chin as if he were a puppy. "Aw, didn''t you call me that before? What''s changed?""


    Elian, usually so quick to bare his teeth, seemed to have been muzzled. With a hoarse voice, he managed a single word. "No."


    Miranda chuckled, patting his cheek. The texture was surprisingly satisfying. She gave it a couple more pats. Elian''s eyebrows furrowed in irritation.


    Miranda was just having fun. She


    never intended to actually make him


    call her "Dad". She knew some


    people would joke around with it, but when push came to shove, they''d


    rather die thanply.


    Ah, men. Always saying one thing and meaning another. She decided to leave the needle right where it


    was for now, letting him lie there while she examined his injuries.


    "You''re just going to check like this?" Elian finally spoke, sounding a tad irked.


    Miranda curved her lips into a grin. "You''re doing just fine there. If you''re consulting a doctor, you should follow the doctor''s orders."