At the corner of the alley, where the wind seemed to have a mind of its own, Mirabe''s eyes quicklynded on Catherine, who was huddled against the biting cold. With a concerned frown, she called for the taxi to stop.


    Stepping out, Mirabe immediately stripped off her down jacket and wrapped it around Catherine. "It''s freezing out here. Didn''t I tell you to wait inside?"


    Catherine''s lips were tinged with purple from the cold, making Mirabe''s worry deepen. After checking Catherine''s hands to make sure they weren''t too cold, she sighed in relief.


    Catherine smiled, sping Mirabe''s hand. "I was only out here for a couple of minutes. I''m fine. But you, put your jacket back on before you catch a cold."


    Catherine tried to return the jacket, but Mirabe gently held her shoulder. "Don''t worry about me; I''m tougher than I look."


    Realizing she couldn''t win this argument, Catherine let it go.


    Meanwhile, Nick was busy unloading two suitcases and some gift boxes from the car. As closed the trunk and nced at the pile of items on the ground. He leaned in to Nick and whispered, "Hey Nick, why don''t I help you guys bring these inside? It''s a lot for one person to carry."


    The car could''ve been driven closer to the house, but since his sister had already gotten out, Nick decided to join her. He waved off As''s offer. "No worries, you head back. Thanks for everything."


    As hesitated, not immediately moving to leave.


    Seeing As still lingering, Nick was about to speak when As beat him to it. "Nick, didn''t you say I''d be the one to drive you back?"


    Realizing what As was getting at, Nick reassured him. "It''s fine. Grady''s been swampedtely. You can help him out."


    Catching a glimpse of Catherine nearby, As quickly interjected, "No rush. The butler''s got some free time and told me to stick with you and Miss."


    Nick smirked. "Alright, Uncle As, do as you see fit. Just," he paused, "try to keep it under wraps from my sister. She''s not familiar with our world, and I don''t want to scare her."


    As, touching his nose thoughtfully, thought the young miss didn''t seem the type to scare easily. But with Nick''s clear instructions, he nodded in understanding.


    With a final wave, Nick then turned to catch up with his sister and Catherine, leaving As to contemte the challenge of integrating the young miss into the Davis family world.


    As As drove off, he couldn''t help but reflect on Nick''s protective stance towards his sister, signaling a reluctance to expose her to the family''splexities.


    Making their way back to Catherine''s ce, Mirabe had filled her in about Nick, and the trio entered the yard in single file.


    "Oh, Mira, James is back too," Catherine mentioned casually as they stepped into the yard.


    At the mention of "James," Mirabe''s cheeks twitched involuntarily. "James?"


    Catherine nodded. "Yeah."


    Nick, trailing behind the two women, narrowed his eyes slightly. That man was here?


    Given Catherine''s casual tone, it seemed she was quite familiar with him.