ze: "Check it out, that''s Mira''s family''s car!"


    ze sent this message casually, then snapped a few photos of the presidential suite from different angles, sharing them in the group chat.


    ze: "And get this, the six-figure-a-night presidential suite was booked by Mira''s family too!"


    The message was loud and clear: Mira''s family is loaded!


    Elliot saw the messages and was skeptical. He remembered his young apprentice mentioning something about a schrship issuest year.


    After replying with a simple "Ha-ha," he left the group chat and called Robert on Messenger.


    Robert, standing right behind ze, heard his phone buzz and saw it was Dr. Elliot calling. After a moment''s pause, he answered, and Elliot''s voice came through, fast and frustrated.


    "Robert, you need to keep an eye on those students, especially ze. They''re always bragging, showing off, it''s just too much..."


    Robert nced at the boastful ze, cleared his throat, and put the call on speaker. "Actually, ze wasn''t exaggerating. The pictures he sent are legit, and tonight, Mirabe''s family has arranged for us to dine at the fanciest restaurant in town."


    Elliot: "..."


    Was there something wrong with his hearing, or was everyone else losing their minds?


    Robert, noticing Elliot''s silence and unsure why Elliot thought Mirabe''s family was struggling financially, added, "The Davis family definitely doesn''t look like they''re short on cash."


    Elliot was taken aback. Would a wealthy kid really care about a little schrship money?


    But Robert wouldn''t lie, so... Elliot recalled how he had asked ze and the others to include his apprentice in their Messenger fundraising effortsst year. His ears turned a bit red, but he kept his cool and said, "When did I ever say the Davis family was poor?"


    ze, Patrick, and Denny exchanged bewildered nces. Their professor''s knack for bending the truth was impressive.


    He had definitely told them Mira''s family wasn''t well-off and to be careful about her pride when helping out.


    Robert noticed the students'' incredulous faces and rified, "I had you on speakerphone."


    Elliot: "..."


    In the next moment, knowing full well that if he wasn''t embarrassed, someone else would be, Dr. Elliot quickly hung up.


    Robert set his phone down, looked at the students, cleared his throat, and tried to exin for Dr. Elliot "Maybe your professor''s just busy and got a little mixed up."


    ze, Patrick, and Denny exchanged knowing looks. They realized this wasn''t about being busy or a small mix-up. They were just d they hadn''t brought this up with Mira directly, or that would have been the reat disaster.


    Still, having a fabulously wealthy Mira around was kind of exciting. It was something they could brag about for years.


    **


    Mirabe watched as Grady''s car


    drove away from the hotel. She turned back inside, heading for the elevator to head upstairs and fest. Lost in her thoughts, she pulled out


    her phone.


    It was silent, no messages or calls.


    Standing by the elevator, she didn''t press the button right away. Instead, she


    looked up James''s number, her eyes narrowing.


    Could he really be this busy?


    With a small hesitation, Mirabe reluctantly dialed his number again.