As nodded with a knowing smile. "Zach''s ying a bit dirty, isn''t he? I mean, isn''t the youngdy practically family to us Keir folks?"


    That''s why they called Mirabe ''youngdy'' instead of ''little miss.''


    Grady drummed his fingers on his knee, deep in thought. "If Zach''s got his tricks, why can''t we use some of our own?"


    As cleared his throat and gave Grady a thumbs-up. "We''re ready for whatever you''ve got nned."


    "Let''s finish what we''re working on first, then we''ll talk," Grady replied after a moment of consideration.


    "Got it," As nodded, then added, "By the way, the Pledger family''s overseas operations arepletely cut off. I''ve also ordered our domestic branches to pull back from any special orders we had with them."


    Outside, the rain began to pour. Grady stared out the car window for a while before speaking. "Yeah, time they learned there are some people you just don''t mess with."


    "Exactly," As smirked. "Mess with the Davis family''s youngdy? They must have a death wish."


    Meanwhile, Mirabe returned to the hospital room just as Leo was finishing his meal.


    She nced at the takeout packaging-it was from the same ce she and James had eaten earlier.


    Leo wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at his sister. "Running off to stuff your face and only thinking to bring me takeout? At least you''ve got some decency."


    Mirabe pulled up a chair and slouched backzily.


    Leo tossed the takeout box into the trash and, remembering that she came back right as Grady left, decided to ask, "By the way, sis, did anyone interesting try to chat you up on your way back?"


    Mirabe shot him a sideways nce. "Nope."


    Leo exhaled in relief, d she hadn''t run into any trouble.


    "Something on your mind?" she asked, noticing his expression.


    Leo hesitated, then said, "Not really. Just that Grady dropped by to see us, and you happened to be out."


    "Grady? Who''s that?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    "Just one of Chester''s guys," Leo scratched his head. He wasn''t exactly sure what Grady''s role was, just that he was one of Chester''s men, managing the Davis family''s assets.


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s curiosity was piqued, which was rare. "And what does Chester do?"


    "I''m not too familiar with Chester, but Nick probably knows more," Leo replied. Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment, not pressing further. She hadn''t met the man, so it wasn''t of much concern to her.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out and replied to a message.


    Having missed several days of school, many ssmates had reached out to check on her. The message now was from her desk-mate, Jenna.


    After a moment''s thought, she texted back, ''Will be back in school tomorrow.''


    She had stayed away from school to keep Leo''s injury a secret while they uncovered the culprit behind the scenes. Now, with things settling down, there was no need to linger in the hospital, especially with finals half a month away.


    After responding, Mirabe remembered the box of autographs she hadn''t managed to give to her ssmates, likely still in Leo''s car. She quickly sent another message, this time to Collins, asking if he could grab the autographs for her when he had a chance.


    Time flew by, and soon it was the end of the month.


    Mirabe had dined with James a few days ago, hearing about his ns to leave town for a bit. Since then, they hadn''t been in much contact, with most of her time devoted to studying and researching medicine.