Meg caught Taylor''s silence and wisely decided to drop the topic. When you''re talking to someone sharp, it''s best to know when to leave it at that.


    She looked out the car window, watching the neon lights flicker under the streetmps and the busy shops lining the sidewalks. Even though the city had its own charm, it just couldn''tpare to the vibrant life of Riverdale.


    She sighed, relieved at the thought of heading back home the next day. If it hadn''t been for Mr. Hammond''s personal call, she wouldn''t have bothereding back at all.


    After Zach''s birthday party, he spent the next couple of days away, leaving his mischievous puppy, Buddy, home alone.


    Mirabe had initially thought Buddy was a calm little pup, but she quickly realized how wrong she was. Every day after school, Buddy would follow her around, nipping at her pants if she ignored him. Even at his young age, Buddy was a handful, living up to his breed''s reputation for boundless energy and destructive tendencies.


    When Mirabe walked in the door, she found her dad, Shawn, looking furious as he packed up Buddy''s things.


    "Dad?" she asked, dropping her bag.


    "I''m taking Buddy over to Zach''s," Shawn grumbled, clearly annoyed. "It''s not my job to take care of his dog."


    Mirabe hid a smile. "What happened?"


    Shawn''s frustration was evident. "That silly dog broke one of my vases."


    "Which vase?" Mirabe asked, dreading the answer as she looked around. "Not the antique blue and white porcin one on your shelf?"


    "Yes!" Shawn replied through gritted teeth. That vase was from the Song dynasty!


    Mirabe sighed, rubbing her temples. The cost of Buddy didn''t seem so highpared to the loss of a priceless antique. "Dad, I get it. Need any help with the packing?"


    "It''s all packed, but I could use a hand carrying everything. Want toe with me?" Shawn asked.


    "Sure," Mirabe agreed, having no other ns.


    So, the two of them, one mourning a lost antique and the other pondering the expense, along with Buddy and his belongings, headed to Zach''s ce.


    Zach''s condo was in one of the city''s top luxuryplexes, with a great environment and convenient location.


    They took the elevator to the fifteenth floor and stopped in front of Apartment 1501. Shawn set down the boxes and entered the code into the digital lock.


    Mirabe held Buddy''s leash, standing behind him, but the lock beeped, indicating an incorrect password.


    "Password incorrect?" Shawn frowned. "That can''t be right; I know this is the code."


    He tried again, but the system once more denied ess.


    Shawn''s frustration grew. "Did that little rascal change the code?"


    Mirabe stepped forward. "Let me try, Dad."


    Shawn looked at her, puzzled. "You know the password?"


    Mirabe nodded and quickly navigated the lock''s interface. Within seconds, the


    system granted ess, and the door unlocked with a soft ding.


    Shawn blinked in surprise. "Were you entering the password just now?"


    Mirabe''s method had looked entirely different from his own.