As Cassie wrapped up his sentence, Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out and nced at the notification of a hefty deposit, letting out a soft sigh. Then, with a warm smile, she looked up and yfully wrapped her arm around her brother''s neck. "It''s okay tog a bit sometimes."


    Cassie just shrugged, "..."


    He knew he couldn''tpete with such a big number.


    **Later, around five in the afternoon, Mirabe headed to the airport to see ze and the others off. Their tickets had only been extended for two days, and with school projects looming, they couldn''t hang around Merrywoods any longer.


    At the security checkpoint, ze turned to Mirabe, concern etched on his face. "Mira, take care of yourself..." His voice trailed off, remembering how she deftly handled a gun during that kidnapping ordeal.


    Mirabe chuckled, understanding the mixed feelings behind his words, and simply nodded. "I will."


    ze hesitated for a moment, then gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "No matter what, stay safe."


    Mirabe nodded again, reflecting on the past few days and how they must have impacted her friends. "Security here is solid; nothing like that will happen again," she reassured.


    She was right. The threat from Santos wasn''t local, and their aim had been to draw out members of the Massolio family, not to harass a bunch of students. Her friends had bright futures and would be protected by their school, so she wasn''t too worried.


    ze got the message that Mira was trying tofort them. With a nod, he decided not to say more and soon passed through security.


    Mirabe stayed behind, watching their figures fade from sight before turning towards the airport lounge.


    The lounge was pretty empty; Cassie and James were chilling, seemingly having a nice chat. Mirabe raised an eyebrow as she strolled over. "When did you two be best buds?"


    Cassie, sporting a baseball cap, beamed up at her. "Brother-inw promised to take me to pick out a gun."


    Brother-inw?


    In the


    this kit time she''d been gone,


    been won over?


    Mirabe shot James a


    "You''ve got skills


    look.


    James adjusted his ck mask, revealing deep, twinkling eyes, and sighed, "I


    can''t help it, love me, love my dog."


    Mirabe was momentarily speechless, so she nudged Cassie with her foot. "You should have some principles."


    Cassie bounced up, surprisingly moving closer to James instead of Mirabe. "Give back the million I sent you yesterday, then talko principles."


    Mirabe: "..."


    "Brother-inw, when are we going?" Cassie was fully embracing the "whoever feeds me is my parent" philosophy.


    Mirabe: "."


    James caught Mirabe''s exasperated look and said, "That depends on when your sister has free time."


    "Oh, I''m not free." Mirabe decided the kid shouldn''t be spoiled.


    But the young one, eager for


    I wouldn''t back down. He


    t his phone, determingl


    He


    "No, you are free!"


    As that all-too-familiar chime rang again, Mirabe was left speechless.


    Ah, the simple joys of a child''s world.