After having a bite, Mirabe leaned back in her chair, rubbing her forehead with a touch of tiredness in her eyes.


    Zach''s assistant had already headed back to the hotel, leaving just her and Nick in the hospital room. Nick, who had just finished a phone call, noticed Mirabe''s fatigue, and his gaze deepened with concern.


    The room had two beds, with one still unupied. Nick gently nudged Mirabe awake and suggested she take a proper rest on the bed. Once she dozed off, he slipped quietly out of the room.


    He took the elevator to the ground floor, where As was waiting in the parking lot. Upon spotting Nick, As stepped out of the car, "Mr. Nick."


    Nick met As''s eyes, his handsome face giving little away. "Did you track him down?"


    "We did, but we were just a tadte," As replied, frustration clear in his voice. Nick paused, his thumb hovering mid-motion. "A tadte, huh? What happened?" "Got nabbed by the authorities," As said, his expression darkening.


    The thought of Carl being carted off in a police car right under his nose was infuriating.


    "Damn, what good does locking him up do?" Nick muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Quite the coincidence, isn''t it?"


    "Carl''s always been a cocky one, counting on his connections. He''s made plenty of enemies, so maybe he just pushed his luck," As spected.


    Nick cast a sidelong nce at As. "This world doesn''t run on coincidences."


    As ran a hand through his hair. "Or we could stage a jailbreak? Make it look like an ident, then send him back?"


    Nick: "..."


    As cleared his throat, shing a sheepish smile. "Kidding, kidding. We''re civilized folks living in a civilized world, I get it."


    Nick shook his head. "Alright, go home and get some rest. You''ve done enough for today."


    As lowered his head, feeling like he didn''t measure up to Miss Mira''s ordeal. “I''ll head out then, Mr. Nick." With a respectful nod, he hopped back into the car.


    Nick watched the car disappear into the distance before making his way back to the hospital.


    **


    The next day.


    After freshening up and changing into clean clothes at home, Mirabe headed back to the hospital. Zach was already awake.


    Mirabe checked his pulse, then settled into a chair by the window, busying herself with her phone.


    Zach, who hadn''t uttered a word since arriving at the hospital, felt a shiver run down his spine when he nced at his sister. Unable to contain himself, he finally spoke up, "Mirabe, no school today?"


    Mirabe lifted her gaze slightly, giving him a knowing look.


    Why wouldn''t I be at school, do you really need to ask?


    Zach caught on quickly and shrank back, feeling even less like the big brother he was supposed to be.


    Clearing his throat, Zach shifted and leaned against the headboard, asking, "How did I get out?"


    He vaguely remembered being captured and injected with something by those people, but everything else was a blur.


    "No idea," Mirabe replied smoothly, denying any knowledge of the events without missing a beat.


    As, who was about to enter the room, stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. Lucky he hadn''t spilled the beans to Mr. Nickst night.


    "Oh!" Zach, feeling a bit sidelined, drew out his response.


    Mirabe finally looked up at him and said, "Zach."


    He straightened up instinctively, "Yeah?"


    "Just get some rest," Mirabe said, massaging her temples.


    "Sure thing," Zach grinned, pulling the nket up to his chest and settling back down.


    Spotting As at the door, Mirabe got up and stepped out of the room.