As the words settled, Zach, who had just closed the trunk of his car, came over to interrupt, "Mom, there''s always the hotel. You worry too much."


    In the past, whenever he tried to get closer to his sister, his parents would find reasons to dislike it. It was so obvious what the Shepherd family''s intentions were, yet his parents acted as if they were selectively blind, even weing a wolf into their home?


    Zach felt extremely discontented.


    Delh merely nced at Zach, "Zip it." Then, turning to James with warmth, she said, “Honestly, James, don''t mind the jokes from Zach here."


    Zach: "?"


    Couldn''t his own mother give him a bit of dignity?


    James offered a smile, politely declining Delh''s offer, "Thank you, Marian, but I''ve already had the house cleaned."


    Hearing this, Delh did not insist further, merely suggesting, "Then let''s have dinner before you go back, our homes are close by anyway."


    This time, James did not refuse.


    **


    At home, Marian had already prepared dinner. Mirabe had little appetite, merely sitting at the dining table, quietly listening to her parents and brother talk. Even holding her fork, she barely made a move.


    Seeing her like this, everyone understood she was feeling down and didn''t force her to eat, instead trying to divert her attention with different topics.


    After dinner, James didn''t stay long at the Davis family''s home, leaving after a short while.


    Mirabe returned to her room, and when she went to her closet to pick out clothes, she noticed arge cardboard box next to it.


    She paused for a second, then ced the clothes back, opening the box.


    Inside the box were several thick volumes of ssic literature and many tightly wrapped trophies.


    Mirabe''s hand trembled. She didn''t pick anything up from the box but slowly closed it again.


    The shippingbel was still on the box, dated two weeks ago.


    Two weeks ago... So, did she anticipate not being able to see them again, which is why she shipped all her things from her childhood home back?


    Mirabe tilted her head back, then reopened the box. Besides her belongings,


    there was nothing else.


    Feeling a wave of sadness, Mirabe resealed the box.


    Just then, her cell phone rang from her pocket, breaking the silence of the house.


    It was a call from As.


    Mirabe answered, "As."


    "Miss Mira, Summer isn''t in Ashford. She took a flight to the Statesst night; we were a step behind," As''s voice paused for a moment before continuing with a tone of embarrassment, "There''s another thing. One of the people you asked us to take care of the other day has escaped."


    As prided himself on never slipping up, yet this time, someone had inexplicably escaped, which was utterly baffling.


    He still hadn''t figured out how that person managed to escape.


    Mirabe''s expression was cool, not surprised by this oue.


    If Santos had been easy to control, he probably wouldn''t have made it this far.


    However, Mirabe was more concerned about Summer going to the States, "As, did you find out exactly where she went?"


    "No, we received the news toote So, her whereabouts after arriving in the States are unknown to us, and we have no leads," As''s


    embarrassment deepened


    There were only two possibilities for having no trace: either the person was no


    longer alive or someone powerful was covering their tracks.


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes, clearly understanding that Summer''s situation was thetter.