The sound of the door creaking open behind her made Mirabe''s hand fly to her forehead in an instinctive gesture of exasperation.


    "Mirabe, who''s this?"


    The neer was Nick, his lean face glowing with a gentle warmth, his striking ck-and-white eyes immediately locking onto James.


    Mirabe sighed inwardly, letting her hand fall as she turned to make introductions with an air of nonchnce, "My friend, James... and my Nick, Nick."


    James, holding a gift, had an undeniable aura of aristocracy about him. Even as he tried to appear casual, his inherent nobility was hard to miss. He gave a slight nod to Nick, "Mr. Davis."


    Nick and James exchanged a brief, polite nod before Nick, ever courteous, responded, "Nice to meet you."


    With her hands sped behind her back, Mirabe''s fingers fidgeted aimlessly. She nced at Nick, sensing a peculiar tension in his gaze, or maybe it was just her imagination.


    Nick stood by the doorway, the door ajar, and although their conversation was in hushed tones, it caught the attention of Shawn and the others in the hospital room.


    Shawn, curious about the visitor, made his way to the door and upon seeing James, paused in surprise.


    Noticing Shawn''s reaction, Mirabe patiently introduced James again, this time as the neighbor next door.


    Upon hearing thest name Min, Shawn seemed taken aback, and even more so when Mirabe mentioned the neighborly connection. "You''re the tutor Mira''s been raving about!"


    The ''tutor'' line made James raise an eyebrow, and Mirabe had to cough slightly to cover her awkwardness.


    Looks like the tutor story was too deep-rooted now to change.


    James straightened up, "Yes, Uncle Shawn, how are you?"


    "Ah, very well, thank you... I appreciate the time you''ve taken to help my daughter, not to mention those exquisite boxes of gourmet coffee you sent," Shawn said gratefully.


    James''s expression froze for a split second before he smiled politely, "It''s nothing, I''m d you liked them."


    Noticing James still holding the gift, Shawn quickly invited him into the room, momentarily forgetting his daughter.


    Leaning against the doorframe, Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose, noticing Nick hadn''t followed her in. She tilted her head to look at him.


    "Weren''t you heading to the restroom?" Nick remarked.


    Mirabe stood up straight, feigning indifference as she shook her head,


    "Suddenly, it''s not so urgent."


    With that, she turned and walked back into the room.


    Nick lifted his gaze, a smirk ying at the corners of his lips as he shook his head.


    *


    Inside the room, James ced his gift on the table and exchanged pleasantries with Leo before Shawn ushered him aside for a chat.


    Once they were seated, Shawn eyed James, considering his distinguished surname and finding his face somewhat familiar. After a moment of contemtion, he ventured a guess, "Might I inquire if Mr. Donald Shepherd is rted to you?" James''s features were crisp as he affirmed, "He''s my grandfather."


    A look of realization dawned on Shawn; a member of the Shepherd family, no wonder he could afford such fine coffee.


    But wasn''t this very man the current head of the Shepherd family? How could he possibly know Mira, and be tutoring her no less?


    "Last time my grandfather visited, I''m afraid he caused you some trouble," James added with a tinge of apology.


    Shawn, snapping back to the present, waved off the concern politely, "Not at all..." He paused, then decided to voice his curiosity, "If you don''t mind me asking, how did youe to know my daughter?"


    James seemed to have anticipated the question and answered with deliberate ease, "I''ve been recuperating in the countryside for a while and happened to meet her there."