"What''s that smell?" James murmured, then asked.


    Mirabe nced out the window, her gaze lingering for a moment before she pulled it back. "Let''s just drop it, it''s not a big deal," she said casually.


    Sensing she didn''t want to go into it, James didn''t push further and started the car.


    Just as they drove off, Lisa and Ben strolled over to a car parked by the curb. Ben spotted the familiar license te, a mischievous grin spreading across his handsome face as he opened the rear door for Lisa.


    Lisa, far from feeling ttered, was genuinely uneasy and hesitated to get in.


    Ben, leaning casually on the doorframe, seemed unusually patient today and didn''t rush her.


    Finally, Lisa got in the car. As the door was about to close, she held it and looked at Ben standing outside. "What are you really after?" she asked.


    Ben tilted his head, his eyes deep and a smirk ying on his lips. "What do you think I see in you, Emmitt?" he teased.


    Biting her lip to suppress her fear, Lisa replied firmly, "You know exactly what kind of person you are."


    Ben chuckled softly, "Seems like my sister still has the wrong idea about me." Feeling a chill run down her spine, Lisa quickly shut the door, blocking Ben''s view.


    Ben, unfazed, nced at the tinted window before calmly adjusting his sleeve and walking to the passenger side. Just as he was about to open the door, his phone rang.


    He paused, then pulled out his phone.


    It was an international call.


    Ben''s expression turned serious as he stepped away from the car to take the call.


    After a short conversation, he hung up, his previously rxed demeanor reced by a stern one.


    A breach at the medical research facility? Those folks must be out of their minds.


    Ben frowned, stood still for a few seconds, then turned back, opened the car door, and got in. "Drive," he instructed the driver, his voice icy.


    The driver, sensing the tension, stayed silent and drove off.


    In the back seat, Lisa flinched at the sound of Ben mming the door but kept her


    head down, focusing on her phone, avoiding looking ahead.


    It seemed she had grown ustomed to Ben''s unpredictable moods.


    **


    In the car.


    James had originally nned to take Mirabe out for dinner, but she declined.


    "I''m Zach, heading back to Ashford tomorrow," Mirabe exined briefly.


    James raised an eyebrow, sounding both surprised and a tad amused, "Leaving already?"


    Mirabe rested her chin on her hand, blinking. "Are you pleased about that?"


    "Not really," he repliedzily. With one less obstacle, he rxed into his seat, fingers idly tracing the steering wheel. "What time''s your flight?"


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, "Noon, twelve sharp."


    "Want me to see Zach off?" James offered.


    Mirabe shot him a look, "Nah, better let him leave on a happy note."


    James sighed softly, still feeling a bit sidelined.


    Mirabe stifled a cough, turning to gaze out the window, her eyes sparkling with


    a hint of amusement.


    Before long, they arrived back at the apartmentplex. Mirabe waved goodbye and stepped out of the car.