In her line of sight, a tall and slender figure caught her attention. The face was delicately chiseled but rmingly pale, making Mirabe''s eyes widen in surprise.


    "Nick?"


    She stood frozen, too stunned to move.


    Dragging his suitcase, Nick''s nearly translucent face broke into a faint smile as he approached her with an unhurried pace. "Hey, sis, I''m back."


    Nick noticed his sister''s dazed expression, his thin lips curling slightly. Letting go of his suitcase, he reached out to tousle her hair, savoring the familiar feeling.


    Usually the one giving head pats, Mirabe found herself on the receiving end for the second time: "..."


    "Nick, why did you suddenlye back?" Mirabe was genuinely surprised, not expecting him to show up out of the blue.


    Nick withdrew his hand, simply saying, "Just felt like it was time toe back."


    Mirabe blinked, then nced at the suitcase beside him. "Did you just get off the ne?"


    "Yeah, made it just in time to catch you after school." Nick nodded, the weariness from the long flight evident in his eyes.


    But seeing his sister seemed to wash all the fatigue away.


    Mirabe figured out why Shawn hadn''te to pick her up today. Clearing her throat, she suggested, "Let''s grab a cab home."


    "Sounds good."


    Nick grabbed his suitcase again and, lifting his gaze, took in the entrance to Parkside High School.


    At the gate, Summer was walking out with her ssmates.


    Nick''s expression faltered for a moment before he indifferently averted his gaze.


    Summer looked up and caught a glimpse of Nick''s retreating figure, tall and lean. She didn''t recognize him at first.


    After a brief look, her attention was quickly drawn to Aiden nearby. She turned her gaze and walked toward him, frowning.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Aiden''s eyes had been fixed on Mirabe and Nick, watching their interaction. Though he couldn''t hear what was said, the atmosphere was oddly off-putting.


    At the sound of Summer''s voice, Aiden just red at her and walked toward the curb without speaking.


    He saw the Gilbert family''s driver waiting there.


    Summer, ustomed to Aiden''s demeanor, was curious about his presence at the


    school''s entrance but couldn''t be bothered to ask.


    Soon, the siblings got into the car, one after the other.


    The driver started the engine.


    Summer remained silent, leaning against the car door window, her gaze fixed outside.


    The car was quiet for a moment.


    Then Mandy nced in the rearview mirror. "Aiden?"


    Aiden rolled down the window, letting in the chilly air, and then quickly rolled it back up, his voice tinged with irritation. "Mom, that crazy woman said to stop bothering her, and something about not being able to mess with her."


    Summer''s eyshes fluttered. Crazy woman? Who was he talking about?


    Mandy''s expression darkened slightly. The confirmation she''d been seeking seemed to be taking shape.


    Telling her son to warn her off was a hint, implying that the bidding issue might be the Davis family''s doing.


    The more Mandy thought about it, the more unsettled she felt. The Davis family, why had they suddenly be so enigmatic?


    "What else did she say?" Mandyposed herself and asked again.