Mirabe had been sequestered away for the past few days, diligently working on her thesis. Despite losing some hair over the ordeal, she finally had a draft ready.


    After reviewing it onest time, she found it satisfactory and sent it off to Zane''s email.


    Stretchingnguidly, Mirabe rose from her chair just as a knock sounded at her door.


    It was the family housekeeper, Marian, knocking.


    "Ms. Mirabell, there''s a friend here to see you."


    Leaning against the doorframe, Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted in surprise. "A friend?"


    Marian nodded, describing, "The rather handsome gentleman who visited before."


    At that, Mirabe immediately knew who Marian was referring to.


    "He''s just waiting by the front door," Marian added quickly.


    "I understand, thank you, Marian," Mirabe said, turning back to her room to change out of her pajamas before making her way downstairs at a leisurely pace.


    There, at the front door, stood James, dressed in sleek ck attire, his head bowed and hands casually pocketed.


    Sensing someone approaching, he looked up, the aloofness on his striking face melting away upon seeing her.


    As Mirabe opened the door, she greeted him with a tone devoid of emotion, "What''s the matter, James? Expecting a personal escort?"


    James sighed lightly at her greeting. "My mom always says you have such a good temper."


    Mirabe nodded, genuinely agreeing, "Marian is indeed very straightforward."


    The corner of James'' lips twitched. "Dinner at my ce tonight?"


    Mirabe nced at himzily.


    "Emily mentioned you had agreed," James added calmly.


    Remembering their conversation on Messenger, Mirabe brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, "Alright, let me change."


    Turning to head back inside, she paused after a few steps and looked back. "By the way, does Marian have any preferences?"


    She couldn''t very well show up with just a bottle of wine, could she? That might just get her kicked out on the spot.


    James raised an eyebrow, "I''ve already prepared something for you."


    Mirabe nodded, "Okay."


    As she walked back inside, she took out her phone.


    **


    At six in the evening, Emily emerged from the kitchen, her gaze


    asionally drifting to the from ne


    door


    ghtly nervous about officially


    the young woman soon.


    Trevor came over for a drink and, seeing his wife''s nervousness, chuckled, "Don''t


    worry, I''ve met her. She''s quite impressive in many aspects."


    "That goes without saying," Emily replied, but then she eyed her husband


    suspiciously, "When have you met her?"


    Trevor had not told Emily about his hospital stay due to an


    archaeological dig identst year and, realizing he had misspoken, quickly made up an excuse, ?t was just a chance encounterst year."


    Emily, epting this exnation without further suspicion, reminded, "Did you


    prepare the gifts I asked for? We mustn''t skimp on the first meeting."


    Trevor breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Don''t worry, everything''s ready."


    Emily hummed in acknowledgment.


    Just then, there was a sound at the front door.


    Emily, checking her neatly pinned-up hair to ensure it wasn''t out of ce, hurried towards the entrance.


    Yel


    James entered first, holding a gift box. Emily approached, ignoring the item her son was offering and instead looked directly at Mirabe behind him, "Mira,e in.


    James was left puzzled.