ze noticed that Mira suddenly stopped in her tracks, and he called out with a bit of confusion, "Mira?"


    Mirabe looked up, feeling her facial muscles twitch slightly. "Did you just say what I think you did, my friend?"


    Grady was at the hotel earlier today?


    ze hesitated for a second, then cleared his throat, trying to exin, "Oh, I was just speaking generally. People in power often have a strong presence, you know?"


    Mirabe shook her head. "No, not that."


    "Huh? Not that?" ze was a bit lost, mentally reying his recent words. "You mean the part about running into your uncle at the hotel earlier?"


    Mirabe sighed, "... Yeah."


    "We just exchanged a quick hello. Your uncle didn''t stick around long, but he did ask about you before he left," ze admitted honestly.


    Mirabe covered her face with her hand, imagining the scene: telling her uncle she was out with friends, while Grady ran into one of those very friends. The embarrassment made her want to disappear.


    Great, her whole image is probably ruined now.


    Lying really doesn''t pay off; you never know when it might backfire.


    "Mira, what''s up?" ze still hadn''t pieced together the mini-disaster that had unfolded, looking at Mirabe with a puzzled expression.


    Mirabe dropped her hand and forced a smile. "It''s fine. My uncle''s not a monster."


    ze was left speechless, feeling an odd sense of unease.


    Over at Riverside University.


    "Summer, the campus is buzzing today. Aren''t you going to check it out? I heard students from other countries are visiting," Linda said as she entered the dorm room, impressed to see Summer still deep in her books.


    So dedicated.


    Summer wasn''t interested in the visiting students and replied calmly, "No, I''m good. The exchange program is tomorrow. I''ll have plenty of chances then."


    "I''m so jealous you get to be part of the exchange program," Linda sighed resting her chin in her hands. Some people just have all the fuck, she thought, though she couldn''t bring herself to envy Summer.


    Summer set her book down and looked at Linda. "I''m just helping out with the logistics. It''s not a big deal."


    Professor Joen had made an


    exception for her to be involved, but


    only in a support capacity. She


    wasn''t yet qualified for the actual academic discussions.


    "Still, it''s a great way to meet new people," Linda said wistfully.


    Summer just smiled, letting the conversation drop. She wasn''t looking for friends.


    Linda kept chatting away, but Summer, though slightly annoyed, kept her expression neutral.


    Then her phone rang, breaking the flow. "Sorry, I need to take this," Summer said with an apologetic smile.


    She picked up her phone, noticing the caller ID, and her eyes narrowed slightly.


    Standing up, Summer moved to the balcony, closing the door behind her before answering.


    "What is it?"


    Summer stood by the railing, gazing at the distant school grounds, her voice icy. "The person you''re after isn''t in the country," a gruff voice informed her from the other end.


    Summer frowned slightly. "Where are they?"


    "They''ve gone abroad for an


    exchange event at Riverside University in Merrywoods. We wouldn''t dare touch anyone from Riverside University, so you''ll have to wait for a better opportunity the man exined, flicking a cigarette butt away.


    He continued, "Besides, this person you''re after seems to be more than just your average student, don''t they?"