What a small world.


    "Living in this area, huh..." James''s voice had a hint of something unspoken.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Is there something wrong with this ce?"


    James chuckled and shook his head. "Nope, it''s a great ce."


    He handed her phone back, and Mirabe tilted her head, giving him a curious nce but letting the topic drop.


    Fifty minutester, they pulled up to the Emerald Bay Vis. The gate''s surveince system scanned James''s license te and opened automatically, not even bothering the security guard.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at this. "You don''t live here too, do you?"


    "Mm-hmm," James replied softly, his long, well-defined fingers drumming on the steering wheel with an artistic ir.


    Mirabe suddenly got what he meant earlier about ''living in this ce.''


    "You live in Block B, I''m in Block A, just a street apart," James said with a slight sigh.


    But being in the samemunity made that street seem like nothing.


    Even though he hardly stayed here.


    By then, they had arrived at the vi.


    As the car came to a stop, As, who had gotten there earlier, was already waiting


    by the door. He walked over as soon as he saw them.


    Mirabe got out of the car, a bit surprised to see As.


    As nodded respectfully to Mirabe. "Miss, Mr. Nick asked me to wait here for you, to help you get settled in."


    Mirabe nodded back. "Thanks, appreciate it."


    As scratched his head with a goofy grin. "No trouble at all."


    As he spoke, James also got out of the car. His presence wasmanding,


    making him instantly noticeable even when he tried to tone it down.


    As tensed up instinctively at the sight of James, quickly averting his gaze. What''s he doing here?


    James moved to Mirabe''s side, his clear eyes briefly sweeping over As with a flicker of something unreadable, but he didn''t pry. Instead, he walked to the trunk to fetch the luggage.


    As hurried over to take the suitcase from James. "I got it."


    The vi''s front door had a smart lock. As entered the code, and the door opened. He stood by with the luggage, asionally ncing at James, recalling Mr. Nick''s scowl at the airport and his words.


    Intercepted by a dog on the way.


    As''s cheeks twitched, realizing who the ''dog'' referred to.


    Oblivious to this, Mirabe turned to James, waving her hand. "I won''t invite you in then."


    School was starting soon, and there was plenty to do.


    James nodded. "Alright, call me if you need anything."


    "Okay." Mirabe replied, then followed As into the vi.


    James watched them enter, pausing for a few seconds before finally getting back into his car and driving away from Emerald Bay Vis.


    **


    As Mirabe stepped into the foyer, a heavy mechanical voice greeted her with, "Wee home." She took off her shoes while ncing in the direction of the sound.


    It was the smart robot butler she had seen abroad.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. Nick had brought this silly thing back again.


    Seeing her gaze on the robot, As thought she was seeing it for the first time and took the opportunity to introduce it. "This is the smart robot butler..."