Leo always yed it cool around strangers. He casted a brief nce at his sister, who had just wiped her fingers clean with a napkin, then fell silent for a couple of beats before looking away.


    His gaze shifted to Heather and her cousin. They were in the middle of a live broadcast, which made it harder to decline. Heather seemed nice enough, so he said, “I might not be a pro at carving pumpkins,” he said with a shrug, “but I can give it a shot.”


    Mirabe shot Leo a look that was rich with disdain. There was a stool nearby. She sauntered over to it, plopped down, and pulled out her smartphone.


    Heather’s cousin, Michelle, caught Leo’s drift–the chicken was obviously his sister’s handiwork. Michelle lifted her gaze to Mirabe, who showed no intention of lending a hand. With a slight drop of her eyes, Michelle decided not to push it. She nodded at Leo with a soft voice, “Thank you, that would be great.”


    At that moment, thements section started to bubble up.


    [Why’s Juztin’s sister like that? She heard Heather’s cousin ask for help, and she just sat there scrolling on her phone. She’s seriouslycking some social cues, right?]


    [It’s such a simple thing to do, and yet she’s making her brother, who’s clueless about it, take over. Not cool of the sister… tsk.]


    [Seems like there’s a bit of tension, but it’s normal for her not to help. After all, her cousin didn’t ask her directly.]


    [Some folks are so weird. Why should the sister have to help? Can’t you see Juztin doesn’t really want her to either?]


    [Right, he’s just being protective of his sister and reluctantly agreed to avoid being rude. Don’t push the me onto her.]


    can’t stand people like Michelle, knowing full well it’s Juztin’s sister’s job but still purposely asking him. What’s the subtext here, hmm?]


    Mirabe sat on the stool, legs casually crossed, and the live streamments scrolling on her phone’s screen. She nced at them without much concern. She shook her head as she watched Leo, who seemed to be making more of a mess than progress, and withdrew her attention.


    Deal with your ownmitments.


    Her screen lit up with a Messenger notification, and Mirabe tapped it.


    Jenna: [Queen Mira, how can you let your brother deal with the chicken? Doesn’t your heart hurt for him?]


    The Pill: [Oh, and was your heart hurting when I was doing it just now?]


    <b>11:33 </b>


    Jenna: [Believe it or not, I’m about to expose you in the live stream!)


    The Pill: (Think before you speak.)


    Jenna retracted a <b>message</b>.


    Jenna: (Listen, that Michelle is annoying. Don’t let her leech off your brother’s poprity.)


    Mirabe looked up, eyeing Michelle, who asionally got close to Leo, and narrowed her eyes. Then, she suddenly stood and approached them.


    Leo, still holding the butcher knife, paused when he noticed his sistering over,


    “Give me the knife,” Mirabe said coolly.


    Obediently, Leo handed it to her.


    Michelle was still holding the pumpkin, and when she saw Mirabe, she offered a grateful smile. “Thanks.<b>” </b>


    “Mhm.” Mirabe nodded once, taking the knife and making a quick gesture as if she were a chef about to fillet a fine cut, the de glinting in the light. She then turned to Michelle. “Hold it steady.”


    Leo was standing by her side and felt an odd twinge in his heart at his sister’s action. It was as if she radiated a silent threat.


    Michelle initially wanted to pass the chicken over to Mirabe directly, but hearing hermand, she braced herself and pressed the chicken down onto the stone countertop, “Is this okay?”


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!