Grady quickly pulled himself together and sighed, "It''s all ancient history.


    Chester''s just the kind of guy who loves to reminisce. Otherwise, he''d probably have a bustling family by now, just like your parents."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "So Chester''s a bit of a romantic, huh?"


    Grady chuckled, not offering much more. "What''s got you so curious about Chester today, Miss Mira?"


    "I''m just intrigued by him," Mirabe said, tapping her knee thoughtfully. Chester had been a fixture on her phone for ages, so it made sense to learn a bit more about him.


    Grady grinned, "You''ll get to meet him in person tomorrow."


    "Yeah," Mirabe nodded, already nning not to show up empty-handed.


    They chatted a bit more until they heard voices outside, and then a young guy named Shawn came in with a food box.


    After setting it down, Shawn quietly left the room.


    Grady opened the box and handed Mirabe a fork. "Things can get a bit hectic around Merrywoods. Maybe tell your friends and the professor to stay put and not wander around too much."


    Mirabe thanked him, remembering the long line of cars she''d seen that morning on her way to school. She nodded, "Got it."


    Grady picked up a fork too but didn''t start eating. "But don''t worry. I''ve arranged for someone to keep an eye on things."


    Mirabe looked at Grady, her bright eyes sincere as she expressed her gratitude, "Thanks, Uncle."


    Grady shook his head with a smile, "No need to thank me, Miss Mira. It''s the least I can do."


    "And what about you, Uncle? Have you wrapped up your business here? When are you heading out?" Mirabe asked casually, picking up a piece of lettuce.


    "Probably this afternoon," Grady replied coolly, showing no hint of anything else. Mirabe nodded, "There was somemotion at theb building. I heard police sirens on my way in. Be careful, Uncle."


    Grady nearly choked on his food, "Cough... Miss Mira, you know about that?"


    Mirabe blinked innocently, "Actually, I know nothing."


    Grady thought, If it weren''t for that look, I might have believed you.


    Mirabe chuckled softly and went back to her meal.


    **


    After lunch, Mirabe headed out.


    As she made her way to meet some friends, she texted James on her phone.


    [What kind of gift is good for an elder?]


    James seemed busy and didn''t check phone until twenty minutester. [Who are


    to give it to?] Content you


    [To


    She


    with ze and the others. t quietly on the side, chiming y now and then.


    By now, Mirabe had


    James thought for a moment before replying, [I''ll bring you somethingter.]


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow,


    knowing anything from James


    would be top-notch. She typed back,


    Whool


    [Okay.]


    After wrapping up his chat with Mirabe, James called Wyatt.


    Wyatt soon walked into the office with a small metal box, "James."


    James took the box without opening it, instead cing it into a desk drawer.


    Wyatt nced at the box, curiosity piqued, "What do you need this for?"


    "It''s a gift," James replied, his demeanor asposed as ever, his voice calm and collected.


    Wyatt, knowing his boss well, made a guess, "Is it for Ms. Mirabe?"