Nick''s eyes were still glued to the two jars of ointment, so he didn''t really notice his sister''s expression.


    He picked up one jar and unscrewed the lid, revealing a dark paste. Expecting a strong medicinal smell, he was pleasantly surprised by its mild scent.


    The ointment reminded him of one Chester had shown him before, also for healing wounds and reducing scars. Chester had offered it to him, but it was such a small, precious amount that Nick had declined.


    He had long since given up hope of getting rid of the old scars on his body.


    Nick quickly screwed the lid back on. "Sis, did you make this yourself?"


    "Yep," Mirabe nodded.


    So, that''s why she''d been disappearing into that little room after meals-to work on this scar ointment for him.


    A warm feeling spread through Nick''s chest. For the first time, he felt thating back home was the best decision he''d ever made.


    "Thanks," he said softly.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, azy grace evident on her delicate face. "No need to be formal, we''re family."


    The words "we''re family" brought a smile to Nick''s face. "Yeah."


    Family.


    Mirabe nced at hisputer, then straightened up. "Well, I''ll let you get back to it. Don''t let me keep you."


    With a nod, she quickly left the room.


    After the door closed, it took Nick a few moments to refocus. He then arranged


    the two jars of ointment together and snapped a photo to post on his social media.


    "Surprise gift from my little sis. Any ideas for a return gift?"


    Nick''s social circle was pretty exclusive-family, titans of the medical field, and close allies of the Davis family. No random acquaintances.


    When posting, he thought for a moment and excluded his parents, Emmitt Zach, his brother, and sister from viewing it.


    Since he rarely updated his social media-it had been two years since hisst postments and likes started popping up almost immediately.


    "Hey, since when did LIN have a sister? Never heard of her,"mented a former colleague from the research institute.


    Nick replied, "My sister''s just shy."


    Morements followed.


    "LIN, need any senior year study materials?"


    Nick: "...No."


    He had been unsure of Mirabe''s academic level before, but now... A genius doesn''t need study materials! That would be an insult to her intelligence.


    "Give her a huge diamond from South Africa."


    "A luxury private yacht."


    "A ne."


    Reading these extravagant suggestions from the Davis family allies made Nick press his temples in frustration.


    This wasn''t about giving a return gift-it felt more like handing out bombs.


    No wonder his parents kept these people away from his sister; they were way over the top.


    After a while without any practical suggestions, Nick put away his phone.


    *


    Mirabe returned to her room, opened herptop, but then her Messenger pinged. After checking the message and replying, she stood up from her chair.


    After a moment''s thought, she opened a drawer, took out a small box of incense, quickly donned a thick coat, and headed downstairs.


    She crossed over to the neighboring vi, used the fingerprint scanner to enter, and found Wyatt just finishing packing his suitcase. He greeted her with a smile, "Ms. Mirabe, you''re here."