Just as Johnny''s indifference towards his foster daughter seemed simr to how Mandy''s driver acted, she started to wonder if the "misunderstanding" Johnny mentioned had something to do with that foster daughter.


    Could it be that Gilbert Corporation was originally in line to win the contract, but thanks to some meddling by her foster daughter, they lost the opportunity?


    The more Mandy thought about it, the more convinced she became.


    After all, her foster daughter had just seen her but acted like she was aplete stranger, tantly ignoring her.


    Feeling annoyed and her thoughts all over the ce, Mandy got into her car.


    Meanwhile, in James''s car.


    "Got anywhere in mind for this afternoon?" James turned to look at Mirabe.


    Mirabe had been loungingzily in her seat since she got in. After a beat, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Weren''t we heading to the library?"


    A yful smile tugged at James''s lips. "You sure?" That had just been a random excuse to leave the earlier gathering.


    After thinking for a moment, Mirabe replied, "Well, I''ve got nothing better to do. If it''s on the way, you could drop me off."


    She did have some research to catch up on.


    James nced at her, then told Wyatt, "To the library."


    Twenty minutester.


    As Mirabe was about to step out of the car, James spoke up, "What time should I pick you up?"


    She paused and turned to look at him.


    James cleared his throat lightly, "I''ve got some errands nearby, should be done around four-thirty."


    Catching on, she nodded, "Just text me when you''re done."


    "Will do."


    Mirabe exited the car, casually walking through the grand library doors.


    Watching her until she was out of sight, James signaled Wyatt to drive on.


    ncing in the rearview mirror, Wyatt said, "Curtis is already there."


    James rested his leg casually, tapping his fingers on his knee, "Mhm."


    "I wonder what this Toby wants, asking to meet you in secret today," Wyatt mused.


    James leaned back, eyes closed, the usual iciness in his demeanor missing, "We''ll find out soon enough."


    "They say Toby''s a bit of an oddball in the Bishop family-raised on the outside for years without the brothers finding out. If it weren''t for Donald Bishop''s passing, Toby might''ve stayed a secret."


    Wyatt clicked his tongue, impressed.


    Naturally, if Toby hadn''t approached the Shepherd family, he might have stayed off their radar too.


    "Maybe he''s a wolf lying in wait," James spected.


    Considering their intel, Wyatt added, "His records are squeaky clean, no ties to the Bishop family''s underground dealings."


    James opened his eyes, looking out the window, "If he were clean, he wouldn''t havee to me."


    "That''s why I think he''s the odd one out in the Bishop family. Maybe, as you said, he''s the wolf waiting in the shadows, ready to strike," Wyatt observed, a hint of intrigue in his eyes.


    James said no more.


    Half an hourter, the car pulled up to the agreed location.


    A private vi.


    As James stepped out, Curtis, who was waiting outside, approached, "James."


    A discreetmunicator was tucked under Curtis''s cor, barely noticeable.


    James responded with a curt nod, adjusting his overcoat as his expression remained stoic.


    "Toby''s waiting inside," Curtis said, keeping pace with James as they walked towards the vi.