He felt the sting of humiliation at the thought of it. <b>Shawn’s </b>threat to break his legs wasn’t exactly something you’d brag about at the bar.


    Leo’s gaze dropped, unable to meet his sister’s eyes. “Look, for everyone’s… safety, we’re going to have to turn down any ad gigs for you,” he said.


    “Huh…” Collins, though confused, pondered for a moment before suggesting, “We could pass on the other offers, sure, but this photoshoot is one we can’t just shove aside.”


    “It’s easy,” Leo waved dismissively, “I’ll just do a shoot for them, free of charge.”


    Collins‘ expression twisted into aplicated grimace. That might have worked once upon a time, but now… After a few seconds of silence, he said, “They made it clear that they only want the photos with her.” The subtext was clear – Leo, the star, <b>had </b>lost his shine.


    Leo felt a <b>sudden</b>, overwhelming jab from the world around him.


    Mirabe coughed and tilted her head toward Leo, who seemed to have retreated into his shell again. “So we do this shoot, then no more after that?”


    Leo sighed inwardly. “Fine.” It was the only way


    Mirabe turned her gaze back to the passing scenery outside the car window and pulled out her phone, She scrolled through her call log and dialed Niki back. The missed call during the photoshoot <b>had </b>been from Niki.


    Leo turned to talk to Mirabe but stopped when he <b>saw </b>her on the phone.


    The call connected quickly. Mirabe’s eyes remained on the view outside as she spoke calmly, “Nikl”


    “Mirabe, I need your help urgently. Can you take leave… no, or I cane to your school and get your excused,” Niki said without preamble, getting straight to the point. The urgency in Niki’s voice was evident, suggesting the patient’s condition was serious.


    Mirabe pondered for a brief moment before responding. “No need. I didn’t go to school today.”


    At that, a look of relief washed over Niki’s somber face as he eagerly said, “Then do you have time now? I can send Asher to pick you up.”


    “No, just give me the address. I’lle myself,” Mirabe declined.


    “Alright,e straight to my ce,” Niki instructed.


    “Okay.” Mirabe nced at her wristwatch. “I should make it in half an hour.”


    “Good, I’ll wait for you.”


    After the call ended, Mirabe looked up at the road ahead and said to Collins, “Could you please drop me off at the next intersection? I need to take care of something.”


    “Do you want a ride there?” Collins had overheard the phone conversation.


    Mirabe shook her head. “It’s fine, I’ll catch a cab.”


    “Alright then,” Collins didn’t press further.


    Leo looked at his sister and opened his mouth to speak. Mirabe met his gaze head–on. “No questions.”


    11/2


    Leo could only nod in silence.


    “I’ll get back home on my ownter,” she added.


    Soon, Collins pulled over to the curb, and Mirabe got out swiftly.


    As the car pulled away, Leo watched his sister’s figure on the sidewalk through the rearview mirror and let out a mncholic sigh. His sister always had her secrets.


    Meanwhile, at the Reeves residence.


    Niki had just hung up with Mirabe when he turned around to find his son lurking behind him, giving him quite the startle. He red at him. “Sneaking up behind me like that, you trying to give me a heart attack?”