Mirabe gave Cassie a sidelong nce, confirming her suspicion that he was still just a child, unscathed by the harsh realities of the world.


    Cassie tossed and turned for a while, noticing his sister loungingzily at the dining table, scrolling through her phone as if waiting for someone. He


    couldnously asked, “Is someone elseing?"


    Without lifting her head, Mirabe hummed a response, "Your brother-inw."


    "Oh." Cassie remained sprawled on the couch, taking a moment before it dawned on him, his eyes widening in shock, "Brother-inw?!"


    Had he misheard?


    At that moment, the door to the room swung open.


    James entered, d in a dark trench coat, bringing a cool breeze with him. He only had eyes for Mirabe and failed to notice the figure lying on the couch beside her.


    "How long have you been here?" James approached, shedding his coat with the intention of cing it on the couch, only to meet Cassie''s gaze.


    James: "..."


    Cassie: "!!!"


    They locked eyes in silence.


    Realizing the situation, Cassie quickly sat up, a flush of embarrassment and annoyance crossing his fair face.


    James nced at Cassie''s face before calmly shifting his attention back to Mirabe, "And who is this kid?"


    Mirabe let out a sigh, after sending a final message in the group chat with Linden and others, she slowly lifted her head, "This is my brother, Cassie Davis."


    James raised an eyebrow, his tone surprisingly gentle, "Your brother? I''ve never heard you mention him before."


    Mirabe pocketed her phone, fabricating an excuse, “Just a distant rtive''s kid.”


    By then, Cassie had stood up and Wover, pulling out a chair next


    a to assert his spece ext


    , grumbling, "Sis, I''m hungry."


    It had been only a few years since hest saw his sister, and now, unexpectedly,


    she had a husband... Cassie was inwardly rejecting this reality.


    James noted the boy''s actions with a sigh, another one to deal with.


    "I''ll have the food served," James offered gracefully, pressing the service bell in the room.


    Cassie grimaced, then whispered to Mirabe, "Sis, what''s his financial situation like? Can he provide for you in the future? He may be somewhat handsome, but he looks unreliable at first nce."


    James, with his keen hearing: ".


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, turning to reply, "If he can''t provide, will you?"


    "Of course, you''re my sister. It''s my duty to take care of you!" Cassie dered earnestly.


    Mirabe simply smiled and ruffled the young boy''s hair.


    Cassie''s frustrations melted away with that gesture, yet he harbored no fondness for anyone beyond his sister.


    During the meal, Cassie was attentive, constantly engaging Mirabe in


    conversation and ignoring the man seated across from them.


    Only then did he feel his sister''s love remained with him.


    When Cassie excused himself to the restroom towards the end of the meal, James wiped his mouth with a napkin and turned to Mirabe, sighing softly, "You know, you could tell the kid that not only can provide for you, but I could take care of several generations of his, without any problem."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at the man across from her, "So, James, are you unting your wealth now?"