"Keep it on the down-low," Grady said with a cough, tossing a subtle reminder.


    As grinned, picking up the tissue box from the floor and cing it back on the table. He shed an OK sign. "Rx, Grady, this is right up my alley."


    Sneaking around and handling things quietly? That was his specialty.


    Grady nodded, pausing for a moment. "No need to tell Zach about what happenedst night."


    "Got it," As nodded.


    Debra had already cut ties with the Cunningham family. Letting them know would only stir the pot.


    They wouldn''t let anyone off the hook easily, not for anyone''s sake.


    And family ties? Those had to be on equal terms, especially when some people just didn''t deserve it.


    "Oh, by the way, something else was pretty weird," As suddenly recalled, his expression turning serious.


    "What''s up?" Grady looked at him.


    "Even though the Shepherd family took the youngdy away before usst night, my investigation shows she left on her own. And now, the Cunningham family''s butler and doctor are staying at the hospital," As said softly.


    Grady''s fingers paused their twirling of the wooden beads. "Did the youngdy do it?"


    "Not sure," As shook his head. "Austin''s vi has surveince. I had someone check it, but the footage of the youngdy entering was deleted."


    That''s what struck him as odd.


    Grady''s gaze grew more intense. After a moment, he said, "With someone from the Shepherd family involved, these are minor issues."


    As scratched his head. The logic was sound, but something still felt off.


    **


    At school.


    Mirabe was returning aputer.


    The first thing Wade did upon getting theputer was to open and review the quantum data task he had assigned to Mirabe the day before.


    Sitting in a chair, Mirabe kept her gaze down, her eyes fixed on the sticky note on the back of her hand. Her fingertips lightly brushed over it.


    Wade took ten minutes to go through the decoded quantum data on theputer. He looked up at Mirabe, his expression a mix ofplexity and subtle excitement.


    "How long did it take you to decode the quantum data?" Wade asked.


    Mirabe thought for a moment before responding, "I''ve been working on it since I got home from school yesterday."


    Wade, sensing the student wasn''t entirely truthful but choosing not to call her out, pondered for a moment. "Do you know what this quantum data is for?"


    Mirabe had rushed toplete the task on her way to school that morning, so she hadn''t delved deeply into the quantum data, which had broad applications. She shook her head to indicate she didn''t know.


    "Our research institute is developing an anti-cancer drug, and this quantum data is part of the molecr mechanics analysis for the drug''s development," Wade exined, cing theputer on the desk beside him.


    Mirabe knew Wade was a researcher at the National Life Sciences Institute. Hearing this, she pressed her brow. "You shouldn''t be telling me this."


    Research on anti-cancer drugs is a top priority worldwide, and such scientific data is highly confidential.


    Wade, seemingly ignoring Mirabe''s hint, coughed and asked with a hopeful tone, "Would you be interested in joining my research team?"


    Such a talented and capable student was a rare find, and he couldn''t let this opportunity slip away.