After putting the medicine box on the cab, Mirabe walked over to the fridge for a bottle of water. As she turned around, she missed the look on Nick''s face.


    Nick had just checked the security cameras and noticed Mirabe had been leaving the house for two hours every evening recently. His investigation revealed someone he despised: a man from the Shepherd family.


    That scoundrel had moved into their neighborhood just to get close to Mirabe. It was infuriating.


    Nick felt a mix of emotions.


    When Mirabe returned, she barely nced at him. She checked the time, mentioned she was going to work on her pharmacology research, and left.


    Nick pressed his temples in frustration, then grabbed his phone and sent a message: "Stay away from my sister."


    Nick had added James on Messengerst year but never talked to him. This was the first time.


    His phone buzzed almost immediately.


    James: "Not happening."


    Nick''s face darkened, and before he could respond, another message came in.


    James: "By the way, Nick, you''re wee to visit my ce anytime. I live just behind your vi."


    Nick: "..."


    For crying out loud.


    With a murderous look, Nick replied with a curt "Scram" and blocked James.


    Unbelievable.


    **


    The next day, Mirabe showed up at school with dark circles under her eyes, spending the entire ss napping at her desk. Luckily, the teacher wasn''t strict and just gave her a disinterested nce.


    "What were you up tost night? You look exhausted," Lisa whispered from behind a book propped up on her desk.


    Mirabe yawned, her sleepy eyes half-closed. "Making money."


    Lisa''s eyebrows shot up. Considering Mirabe had a celebrity brother and was picked up in luxury cars, it seemed odd that she needed to earn money.


    Lisa had more to say but stopped when she saw Mirabe closing her eyes again. She decided to wait untilter.


    As thest ss of the morning wrapped up, the teacher seemed to remember something and scanned the room. "Who''s Mirabe? Head to the administrative office after this."


    Without waiting for a response, the teacher left the ssroom.


    Being singled out to visit the administrative office sparked curiosity. Many students turned to look at Mirabe, their expressions varied, especially Howard and Tina.


    "What do you think the teacher wants with her at the administrative office?" Tina asked Howard, ncing at the back row.


    Howard shrugged. "Usually, teachers don''t call students to the office during ss. And his tone wasn''t exactly friendly."


    Tina nodded, pulling back her mocking gaze. Since military training started, their dorm had disliked Mirabe. She was too pretentious.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was still resting her head on the desk, oblivious to everything until Lisa tugged at her sleeve several times. Finally, she lifted her head.


    "The teacher asked you to go to the administrative office. Did you hear?" Lisa repeated, looking at her.


    Mirabe acknowledged with a hoarse "Oh," stood up, and walked out of the ssroom.