Mirabe skimmed through a bunch of messages from Cassandra on Messenger, feeling her worries from the past few days melt away. No one understood the intricacies of the family''s satellite equipment better than she did. She''d been ready to make a trip back home if she couldn''t reach anyone, but now it seemed unnecessary.


    She quickly typed back, "Nothing major, just checking if Morgan''s made it back home?"


    Cassandra replied, "Nope, but just before thework went down, I got a message from him. He said he''s got some loose ends to tie up and won''t being back just yet."


    Mirabe squinted at the screen. Morgan, who''s hardly left home in decades, suddenly has things to handle? It made no sense. Her gut told her someone might be using the name ''Cian'' to lure him into trouble. Especially with the


    Pharmaceutical Alliance in chaos, and that fake ''Cian''st seen there, working at their herb base. She hoped nothing would spiral out of control.


    With a bit of a headache, Mirabe rubbed her temples and reminded Cassandra, "Try reaching out to him again, tell him to head back first."


    Cassandra answered, "Got it."


    Mirabe added, "Let me know once you get through to him."


    Cassandra: "Sure."


    As Mirabe was about to shut the chat, she remembered today''s events. Those folks covered invender pollen had likely wandered into the Misty Forest. After a pause, she sent another message, "Even with our high-tech gear, human interference can still mess things up. Staying alert is always wise."


    Cassandra, though a bit puzzled, was used to hearing simr warnings from the family head, and just replied with an "okay."


    Mirabe closed the chat, hershes drooping slightly. With so much uncertainty in the air, some things were best left unsaid.


    Not long after, the bathroom door swung open. Still lost in her thoughts, Mirabe absentmindedly traced the edge of her phone.


    "What''s got you so absorbed?"


    James strolled over, fresh from the shower, smelling of soap, his hair still damp and dripping. His eyesnded on Mirabe''s phone.


    "Oh, nothing," Mirabe snapped back to reality, gave James a quick nce, then stood up from her chair. Grabbing the first aid kit nearby, she said, "Let me patch you up.


    James, d only in a bathrobe with a sash tied at the waist, looked at Mirabe, "I can handle it myself, you know."


    Not knowing how bad James''s injury was, Mirabe rummaged through the first aid kit, quipping, "Quit fussing and let me see."


    James, fiddling with the sash, looked a bit conflicted, having let something slip earlier, "You sure about this?"


    Mirabe looked up, her eyes sparkling, "It''s just a little ointment. Not like it''s the first time."


    James: "..."


    Expecting some folks to blush is probably a lost cause.


    James turned, walked over to the bed, and let his robe slip off, tying it loosely around his hips, barely- covering his long legs. He nced back at Mirabe, thenzily


    sprawled on the bed.


    Mirabe, holding the gauze and ointment, was momentarily taken aback by his rxed pose: "???"


    Just three chapters tonight, I''ll make it up tomorrow. Good night, everyone!