Mirabe settled into her chair but didn''t bother with her fork. Instead, she pulled out her phone to check the slides Robert had just sent her. True to Mr. Smith''s word, the material wasplex, but it wasn''t anything she couldn''t handle. After a quick nce at the first couple of slides, she lost interest and set her phone aside.


    Resting her chin on her hand, shezily turned her head to watch James eat. Let''s face it, watching a good-looking guy was way more entertaining than looking at slides. James paused mid-bite, ncing up at her. "Am I really that good- looking?"


    Mirabe nodded without hesitation, "Yep, you are."


    When it came to speaking her mind, Mirabe was a pro. James raised an eyebrow, "I guess I should be grateful for this face of mine."


    Mirabe just grinned and shifted the conversation, "When did you get here?"


    "A few days ago. Something came upst minute." James put down his fork, his meal forgotten, and added thoughtfully, "Joen, the guy backing Summer, is from the Phantom Base."


    Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered downward, staying silent, but the air around her seemed to grow heavier. James had seen her express this kind of dislike before, but it was more intense this time. Afterst year''s drama with Catherine, Summer was definitely suspicious, but not enough to stir Mirabe''s emotions so much. As for Joen, she probably didn''t even know him, so the root of her disdain was pretty obvious.


    Some things, even if not outright known, were easy to guess.


    "Are you done eating?" Mirabe asked, drumming her fingers on the table, her voice a bit gruff.


    Realizing she wasn''t interested in the topic, James let it drop. He stood up and started tidying the table. Mirabe yawned as she headed towards the master bedroom, waving her hand dismissively. "I''m off to bed. You should get some rest too. Goodnight."


    She didn''t bother seeing him out, leaving him to his own devices in the spacious suite that could easily fit more guests.


    James heard the bedroom door close and couldn''t help but chuckle, shaking his head. He wasn''t sure whether to appreciate herck of caution or remind her that he was, after all, a grown man.


    The next morning, Mirabe had just finished her breakfast when she ~ received a text from Robert, asking her toe downstairs. She sent a quick reply, handed the room key to James, and headed down


    In the lobby, her three friends were already there, yawning and looking even more exhausted than the day before. "Didn''t you guys get


    matching dark circles under their eyes, a smirk ying on her lips.


    sleep Mirabe observed th k


    ze''s eyes were still a bit bleary as he waved at her, glossing over theirte-


    night antics. "Probably the jetg."


    Patrick, fighting sleep, gave


    Mirabe a quick grin before sinking into a nearby chair for a nap. Robert walked in through the revolving door, and upon seeing the weary group, he felt an overwhelming urge to give each of them a wake-up call. "Come on, guys! The math academy students will be here soon. Don''t you care how you look?"


    "Professor, maybe you should borrow some concealer from Mira for those bags under your eyes," ze mumbled, rubbing his nose.


    Robert: "..."


    Mirabe, caught in the crossfire: "..."


    Choosing to ignore ze, Robert''s expression softened as he turned to Mirabe. Unlike the others, she was genuinely endearing. "Mirabe, why don''t you join me at the entrance to greet them?"