Mirabe didn''t bother replying to Vincent''s text. Instead, she pulled out the old English literature book her teacher had given her and started reading.


    She wasn''t a huge fan of the old-timeynguage, but hey, as the valedictorian, she couldn''t reallyin.


    Might as well get it over with.


    After school, she stepped out into the afternoon sun and scanned the lineup of cars parked along the curb. She checked her watch, puzzled. Her dad was neverte.


    Thinking it over for a moment, she dug out her phone, ready to make a call.


    Just as she was about to dial, a familiar voice cut through the air, making her fingers freeze. She looked up.


    "Scaredy-cat, I finally found you!" Aiden stood in front of Mirabe, anky teenager with a mischievous grin stered across his face.


    Mirabe nced at Aiden and with a flick, turned off her phone screen and slipped it back into her pocket. "What''s up? Your goons didn''t tag along today? Afraid of a little roughhousing?"


    Aiden had already been on the receiving end of Mirabe''s wrath twice, and he was somewhat intimidated. His brashness was all for show over the phone, but in person, his caution was evident.


    "You''re crazy, you know that? Who else goes around using violence as the answer?" Aiden retorted, his neck stiffening.


    Mirabe smoothed out her sleeves with deliberate slowness, her fine features lined with impatience. "You''ve got one minute."


    Aiden took an involuntary step back at her gesture but got straight to the point. "My birthday''s this Wednesday..."


    Meanwhile, the Gilbert family''s chauffeur had just pulled up outside Parkside High School. Stepping out of the car, he scanned the area, spotting Summer nowhere but noticing Aiden.


    Surprised, the chauffeur rapped on the passenger-side window. Soon after, the ss slid down to reveal Mandy''s elegantly made-up face.


    "Ma''am, that seems to be the young master," the chauffeur said, nodding toward where Mirabe stood.


    Mandy, aware her youngest son might seek out his foster sister today, showed no surprise.


    The chauffeur, gauging Mandy''s reaction, asked, "Shall I fetch him?"


    After a moment''s thought, Mandy lifted her hand, indicating a halt. "Not yet."


    epting her decision, the chauffeur stepped aside to wait for Summer''s appearance.


    Back at the school gate,


    "I''m not going," Mirabe stated tly, cutting Aiden off without any warmth.


    Aiden had anticipated her refusal, but her blunt decisiveness still irked him. "Why not!"


    Mirabe met his gaze with a chilling look. "Tell your mother not to bother me. There are some people she can''t afford to mess with."


    With that, she turned away from Aiden and walked toward the curb. He tried to follow, but a piercing nce from Mirabe rooted him to the spot.


    That look instilled an instinctive fear in him.


    Aiden clenched his fists, watching Mirabe''s retreating figure, baffled by how the


    once timid girl had be so formidable.


    Mirabe reached the curb and pulled out her phone again, this time to call


    Shawn and find out what was up.


    Before she could dial, a notification from Messenger popped up.


    [Look up and to your left.]


    Mirabe paused at the message, then slowly lifted her gaze to the left.