Dane merely pursed his lips, his response almost instantaneous and without hesitation: "Impossible."


    He hade this far, even gone as far as to involve the prestigious Shepherd family; there was simply no turning back now-not that it was up to him anymore.


    For from the moment he epted that significant offer from Presley, his fate was sealed with no avenue for retreat.


    Should he abandon his course now, he would not only be offending Presley.


    Daneposed himself, no longer wishing to hear his father''s mood-dampening words.


    Standing up, he made his stance clear, "I don''t wish to argue about this anymore. No amount of talking will change things. Presley has the medicine. If we want to save James, then let Mirabe exchange the recipe for it."


    Dane spoke with a cold voice.


    Niki opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Dane''s determination, he understood no words could sway him. He stopped himself, closed his eyes, but then seemed to remember something just as Dane was about to leave, calling out to him once more.


    "Onest question, does James''s sudden illness have anything to do with you?"


    Dane''s fingers curled slightly as he turned to look at Niki, his expression serene, revealing nothing, "No, crossing James brings us no benefits. His condition... it''s just unfortunate timing, giving Presley an opportunity to demand the recipe."


    Niki looked at Dane''s calm demeanor, unsure whether to believe him or to deceive himself. Finally, he could only say bitterly, "Dane, I hope you nevere to regret your choices."


    "Never will." Dane clenched his fists, his face stern.


    With that, he strode out of the living room.


    Niki slumped onto the couch, the difort in his chest nothingpared to his disappointment in Dane.


    If only he hadn''te to Riverdale, perhaps things wouldn''t have escted to this point.


    **


    The next day, after a night of contemtion, Niki sent a message to Mirabe.


    Knowing she would still be in ss, he directly arranged to meet her at a restaurant near her school for lunch.


    Mirabe thought Niki wanted to discuss James''s health, so she went there at half-past eleven.


    Niki had reserved a private dining room.


    noticiner the waiter left, Mirabe,


    noticing Niki''s poorplexion, asked, "Are you feeling unwett? Shall


    I check your pulse?"  fo


    Niki just smiled and waved his hand, "It''s nothing, just didn''t sleep wellst night."


    After observing Niki for a moment, Mirabe finally said, "You really shouldn''t worry too much about James''s condition."


    At the mention of James''s health, a bitter smile appeared on Niki''s lips. He didn''t wait for Mirabe to continue, "Today, I wanted to tell you that there might be a cure for James''s condition."


    Mirabe''s fingers paused on her coffee cup, surprised. She waited for him to continue.


    "There''s a special medicine in Presley''s possession that could potentially cure James..." Niki paused, then ryed the rumors about the Stevenson family to Mirabe.


    After listening, Mirabe looked somewhat amused, her casual tapping on the table ceasing, "You mean to say, Presley knows someone from the Stevenson family?"


    Niki, recalling the implications of Dane''s words the night before, nodded, "It seems so."


    Mirabe burst intoughter, finding it amusing that so many people were pretending to have connections to the main party, which had never shown itself. Quite interesting, indeed.