Yara straightened up, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Mom, do you think the Shepherd estate is just some ce you can waltz into?"


    She had met Mrs. Minerva Shepherd by chance, and their shared interest in history had given them something to talk about. Getting invited to the Shepherd estate even once was already a big deal.


    "You''re such an exceptional daughter, and Mrs. Shepherd likes you..." Kitty began, but Yara cut her off.


    "Stop right there. I don''t need a lecture on what''s right or wrong. I have my own standards," Yara snapped, standing up. "I''m going to my room."


    Kitty shook her head in exasperation. Her daughter was smart in so many ways, but when it came to ying the social game, she was too naive.


    "Yara, if you don''t create opportunities, you''ll never get to meet the young Mr. Shepherd," Kitty called out as Yara started up the stairs.


    Yara froze at the foot of the stairs, then turned around. "You went into my room again, didn''t you?"


    Kitty looked away, clearly ufortable. "I just wanted to tidy up a bit."


    Yara pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed heavily. "I''m moving back to the dorm for a while."


    With that, she headed upstairs.


    Kitty blinked, snapping out of her surprise. "This child, what''s wrong with a mother worrying a little? Now she''s throwing a tantrum."


    She really had spoiled her daughter too much!


    **


    Back at her vi, Mirabe started going through the stack of research materials she had gotten from Zane. The documents were thick, and the pages were yellowed with age.


    The field of information science often delves into biochemical molecr gics, genomics, and other life sciences. The previous research directions weren''t wrong, but they failed due tock of systematic verification, leading to their eventual abandonment.


    It took Mirabe about half an hour to go through the materials, concluding that they were ''quite challenging.''


    Her phone dinged with a Messenger notification. She put the documents back into the brown paper bage before picking up her phone


    It was a message from James, asking where she was.


    Mirabe replied, [At home].


    Soon after, James called.


    "Wannae over for dinner?" James''s smooth voice came through.


    Mirabe remembered that Donald had mentioned wanting to invite over and felt a twinge of reluctance. "I don''t think so. I don''t really have the time."


    She was pretty broke.


    Sitting in his car, James raised an eyebrow. "Don''t you love the meals my chef makes?"


    "So, you''re inviting me over for dinner?" Mirabe caught the main point immediately.


    "Yes, who else would it be?"


    After a moment''s thought, Mirabe changed her tune. "Suddenly, I think I can make some time for dinner."


    The corner of James''s mouth twitched. "I''ll pick you up in about fifteen minutes." "Deal," Mirabe agreed promptly.


    Nick had been leaving early anding homete, so she didn''t have to wait for him.


    Before long, a car horn sounded


    phone buzzed again. She


    outside the vi, andet


    it, noting the punctuality. belongs to


    She stepped outside.


    Got home toote, will update tomorrow. Good night, everyone!


    at