Adler shook his head with a grin. "Promotion? Not happening for me. I just got bumped upst year. If I move up again this year, I''ll have a target on my back."


    Last year, thanks to the data analysis Mirabe handed him, his coworkers were already green with envy. Elite recognitions onlye around every three years, and without that data, the elite title would''ve definitely gone to his colleague.


    Mirabezily tapped her fingers on the table, her delicate face looking effortlessly graceful. "Only insecure people think being envied is a bad thing," she drawled.


    Adler felt an unexpected pang at her words.


    A momentter, the waiter brought their meal. The dish was exquisite, perfectly to Mirabe''s taste. She couldn''t resist an extra serving, all the while thinking this ce would be great for inviting James next time. And the prices weren''t too bad either.


    *


    Meanwhile, James, who had just been thought of, felt a tickle in his nose and reached for a tissue from the coffee table.


    Across from him, Donald sat upright in his mahogany chair, leaning on his cane. His eyes bore into his grandson. "You''ve barely been home, and now you''re nning to move out again? Trying to give me a heart attack?"


    "You''re in perfect health, Grandpa. The doctor said you''ve got another twenty years in you," James repliedzily.


    Donald, frustrated, raised his cane, pointing it at James, but couldn''t find the words to scold him.


    James took a sip of his coffee. "Getting worked up isn''t good for you."


    Donald: "!!!"


    Putting down his coffee cup, James nced at the time and stood up. "I''ve got to go."


    "Wait, did that girle by?" Donald called out, momentarily forgetting his anger.


    James looked at him but stayed silent.


    Donald cleared his throat, muttering, "I know you went to the airport to pick someone up yesterday."


    "So?" James rubbed his temples.


    "When are you going to invite her over for dinner?" Donald grumbled.


    "No time, she''s starting school soon," James shot back and headed out the door.


    In a sh, he was gone.


    Emerging from the kitchen, Dani noticed her son was missing. "Dad, where''s James?" she asked, surprised.


    Dani was the picture of elegance, carrying herself with the grace of a well-breddy. Her voice was gentle, and even at forty-five, her face showed few signs of aging.


    Meeting his daughter-inw''s gaze, Donald''s irritation softened a bit, though he replied gruffly, “He''s gone."


    "We were about to have lunch. Why did he leave?" Dani was puzzled.


    Donald grimaced. "He''s talking about moving out again."


    Hearing this, Dani felt a headacheing on. "Why does he want to move out all of a sudden?"


    Donald tapped his cane on the floor. "Who knows?"


    Dani, used to her son''s absences, assumed he was just busy. "The family business keeps him upied. Let him be."


    Donald nced at her. "I doubt it''s family business."


    Dani paused, not quite catching his meaning.


    With a grunt, Donald didn''t borate. "Let''s eat."


    **


    The next morning, Mirabe, holding her eptance letter and personal


    documents, headed to Prestige College.


    Goodnight, see you in the evening.