The basement was spacious with a modern decor, including a study and a coffee room.


    The door to the study was ajar, light spilling from the crack, drawing Mirabe towards it. Inside, she saw the busy figure of a man.


    She knocked gently and then pushed the door open to enter.


    James put down the metallic piece he was holding and turned to look at Mirabe, "You''re awake."


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze briefly flitting over the items on the table, a hint of surprise crossing her features.


    The table was cluttered with weaponponents, and among them, a half- finished product stood out.


    "I''ve ordered dinner, it should be here soon," James said, removing his gloves and noticing Mirabe''s attention on the table behind him, "Are you interested in these?"


    Hearing his question, Mirabe diverted her gaze, disinterestedly replying, "Not really."


    James raised an eyebrow, "Then what are you interested in? Making money?" Mirabe gave him a silent nce, "Do I look that vulgar to you?"


    James chuckled, shaking his head, "Alright, my mistake."


    His phone on the table buzzed then, and he excused himself to take the call, stepping out of the room.


    Mirabe stood still for a few seconds, her eyes returning to the pile ofponents and a blueprintid out beside them.


    She moved closer, her surprise deepening at the advanced design of the firearm on the blueprint.


    Mirabe looked towards the door thoughtfully, then back at the half-finished product beside the blueprint, which seemed to be a third of the weapon''s frame.


    Judging by the scattered metallic parts, the person assembling this weapon seemed somewhat clueless.


    Leaning against the table, Mirabe reached out to fiddle with the intricateponents.


    Minutester, James returned from his call to find Mirabe still


    examining the area, seeming/one?


    ignoring theponents. "Dinner''s here, let''s go upstairs to eat."


    Mirabe nodded, not looking back at the table as they headed out together.


    The meal was delivered by Wyatt, who was slightly surprised to see Mirabe and James emerging from the basement.


    He knew James had been working on that weapon in the basement and hadn''t expected him to not avoid Mirabe.


    Although he trusted Mirabe''s


    bet


    character it was still a secret project


    within the agency, and the fewer


    knew, the safer it was


    Wyatt decided to discuss this privately with Jamester, for Mirabe''s safety as well.


    Pushing those thoughts aside, Wyatt greeted Mirabe, "Ms. Mirabe, happy New Year."


    "Happy New Year," Mirabe


    rested with a slight nod. I


    she didn''t wait to start


    picking up the fork immerget


    James pulled out a chair, noticing Wyatt still standing there. With a look, he conveyed his message.


    Understanding instantly, Wyatt hurriedly said, "I''ll leave you to it then."


    "Sure," James responded, finally sitting down.


    Wyatt thought to himself, James really wasn''t making single life any easier!


    Despite his internalints, Wyatt quickly made his exit.