The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella) novel Chapter 1266

Mirabella glanced up at the man sitting across from her at the dining table, reassuring Jessie over the phone that everything was fine before hanging up.

"Did you call in sick for me?" she asked, setting her phone down.

James gave a soft nod, "You were out like a light."

Mirabella nodded, feeling almost full. She leaned back lazily in her chair, looking much healthier than she had that morning.

"The medical research institute is in chaos," James remarked, watching her intently.

Mirabella shrugged. "It can't be that bad."

"The system got hacked, core data's gone, and I heard a batch of new drugs got destroyed too. Besides your brother, you were involved, weren't you? You two are quite the pair," James tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"Don't be ridiculous. I wasn't involved," Mirabella denied without missing a beat.

If she didn't feel guilty, then the guilt was someone else's to bear.

James's lips curled slightly, and after a brief pause, he asked, "What were you two after?"

That question piqued Mirabella's curiosity about Nick. What was he after that he would take such risks?

Whatever it was, it nearly turned her into a sitting duck.

Mirabella pressed her fingers to her temples, staying silent, refusing to answer.

James had expected this, shaking his head without pushing further. He stood up, gathering the dishes to take to the kitchen.

He chuckled out of frustration, ignoring the dishwasher as he stepped closer to her.

The kitchen doorway wasn't exactly narrow, but with the two of them there, it felt suddenly cramped.

Facing James, their eyes locked, Mirabella felt her confident stance soften unexpectedly.

Just then, the phone on the dining table rang, slicing through the silence.

"I'll get that," Mirabella said, ready to make a quick escape.

But she barely took a step before James caught her arm, pulling her back, and in the next moment, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist.

They were standing very close now.