"James, you''re here," the officer greeted, nodding respectfully while giving


    Mirabe a cautious once-over, surprise flickering in his eyes. James was never seen with a woman before.


    James gave him a cool look. "I''m here to take someone with me."


    The officer''s eyes darted away, his face scrunching up with awkwardness. "I''m afraid that''s not possible right now."


    "Why not?" James asked, a slight furrow forming between his brows.


    The officer lowered his gaze even more and exined, "Brack just got back and ordered no visitors."


    No visitors allowed, let alone taking someone away.


    James narrowed his eyes, exuding an aura of authority that needed no anger.


    Seeing this, the officer quickly backtracked, "Of course, if you want to visit, James, that''s no problem."


    James thought for a moment, then turned to Mirabe. "I''ll head to Brack''s office. You..."


    Mirabe, still looking pale and not quite recovered, waved a hand. "I''ll go see Adler."


    "Alright," James nodded, gently adjusting her coat, his voice soft. "Call me if you need anything."


    Mirabe nodded back.


    The officer, taking note of James''s care for Mirabe, realized she was not to be overlooked. Once James left, he said to her with respect, "Let me take you there now."


    Mirabe gave a polite nod.


    Soon, they were making their way to where Adler was held.


    As they walked, Mirabe casually asked, "My friend hasn''tmitted a serious crime, has he?"


    The officer, knowing only that Adler was a researcher suspected of stealing data, replied, "I wouldn''t call it serious."


    "If it''s not serious, why isn''t he in a regr holding cell?" Mirabe tilted her head, curious.


    The officer hesitated, caught off guard by the question, then admitted, "I''m not sure. That''s just how the orders came down."


    By then, they had arrived at the cell.


    Mirabe didn''t press further.


    There was no guard at the door. The officer used a maic card to unlock it, and with a beep, the door swung open. "If you need anything, just ring the bell inside. I''ll wait out here."


    Mirabe nodded her thanks and stepped inside.


    As she entered, the officer pulled the door shut behind her.


    The cell was small, with just a square


    , a chair, and a smalle


    bed. Mirabe spotted Adler


    the bed with his back to the


    Raising an eyebrow, she pulled the chair over to the table and sat down. "Seems like you''ve made yourself at home."


    The cool tone of her voice made Adler''s eyes snap open. He turned around, and seeing her, he jumped up from the bed, a grin spreading across his face. "Boss, how did you manage to get in? They actually let you in?"


    "There''s a little trick called pulling strings," Mirabe said with a leisurely smile.


    Adler''s grin wavered, almost forgetting her strong ties with the Shepherd family.


    "Weren''t you the one who said no one would notice your research on radiation sources?" Mirabe teased, her eyes glinting.


    Adler rubbed his face and coughed. "Yeah, didn''t see thating."


    Which is why you shouldn''t count your chickens before they hatch.


    Mirabe nodded and asked, "Nobody''s been giving you a hard time, right?"


    At that, Adler''s yful demeanor faded. "Not really, but this ce isn''t right for you. You should head back soon."