Delh didn''t waste a second. She tugged Mirabe right into the swanky hair salon at the end of the hall.


    Mirabe, who was already kicking herself for leaving the house, had to endure five long hours of what felt like pure torture. By the time it was over, she was just d she''d survived it.


    "You look stunning, sweetheart," Delh said, arms folded, gazing at her daughter''s new hairdo with obvious pride.


    Mirabe''s once long, straight ck hair had been transformed into a chic, wavy French bob. Her bangs were stylishly curled, and the natural coffee-brown hue of her hair made her fair skin glow even more. With a slight arch of her brow, there was a newfound edge to her look.


    Looking at herself in the mirror, Mirabe wasn''t quite sure how she felt about it, despite the money spent.


    Her phone buzzed with a message. She nced down at a text from James and quickly typed back, "All done."


    She''d been chatting with James on Messenger to kill time during the seemingly endless hair session.


    James raised an eyebrow at her reply and typed back, "How about grabbing dinner with Marian?"


    Mirabe tucked a loose wave behind her ear, nced at Delh, who was busy at the cashier, and replied, "Nah, we''re heading straight home."


    James sighed at her response, "Alright... how about a photo to make up for it?"


    Mirabe chuckled and snapped a candid shot of Delh mid-payment, capturing the moment just right. She sent it off with a satisfied nod.


    James couldn''t help but grin at the picture.


    When Delh finished paying and turned back, she saw Mirabe smiling at her phone. "What''s got you grinning like that?" she asked.


    Mirabe shook her head, showing a transaction alert on her screen. She stood up, asking, "Can we head home now?"


    Delh''s smile twitched. She knew suggesting another shopping spree might not end well.


    By the time they got home, it was pushing 9 p.m. After dinner, Mirabe headed to her room.


    She quickly freshened up, then logged onto The Mirror website to check the responses to her ad about selling medication. There were plenty ofments, but none from the person she was waiting for.


    With a sigh, she closed the webpage.


    Her phone buzzed twice with a Messenger alert. After a moment''s hesitation, she picked it up and saw it was from Zane. Sitting up straighter, she replied, "I''m here."


    Zane quickly called her through voice chat.


    Mirabe picked up.


    "Hey, the Tech Institute just rang. They want our research group there tomorrow, so get ready, Mirabe," Zane''s voice buzzed with excitement.


    Mirabe held the phone, her voice steady as she asked, "Are they giving out our grant money in person?"


    Zane''s enthusiasm wavered, "I''m trying to talk business here."


    "Of course, Professor. I''ll be ready," Mirabe replied seriously.


    Zane, who had been ready with reassurances for nervous team members like Linden and Jessie, was thrown off by her calmness.


    Rubbing his temple, he realized this wasn''t the reaction he''d anticipated.