As the words echoed in the room, Jaime''s eyes narrowed slightly, and he instinctively nced up.


    Nick strolled in, carrying an aura as brisk and cold as a winter breeze. His demeanor was icy, like an Arctic cier, and his eyes held a chilling intensity. He stopped in front of Jaime, locked eyes with him, and said with an edge, "Aren''t I the one more qualified?"


    Jaime froze, caught off guard by Nick''s sudden return, especially at such a critical juncture. Nick had always been groomed as the heir, well-respected within the family, making him the obvious choice to attend the Earl''s birthday g instead of Jim.


    Darn it, was he here to throw a wrench in Jaime''s ns? Mirabe noticed Jaime''s expression shifting rapidly, her curiosity piqued.


    She got up, genuinely surprised, and looked at Nick. "Nick, when did you get to Merrywoods? Why didn''t you drop me a line?"


    Nick''s eyes softened when he looked at his sister, a hint of affection breaking through his cool facade. "I just got in. Left in a rushst night, so I didn''t get a chance to let you know."


    Ah, that exins it. Mirabe nodded, figuring he must have caught wind of Chester''s trouble, which prompted his hasty return to the Davis family.


    Nick gave his sister''s hair a gentle ruffle before shooting a cold nce at Jaime. "No worries, with me around, no one''s going to push you around."


    Mirabe: "."


    Jaime: "?"


    Seriously, who''s pushing who around here? His heart was on the verge of bursting from frustration, couldn''t they tell?


    Nick bent down, picking up the invitation from the coffee table. His long fingers unfolded it slowly, and spotting the Earl''s distinctive seal, he folded it back up.


    "I''ll be going tomorrow," Nick told Jaime, leaving no room for argument.


    This unexpected twist left Jaime simmering inside. He couldn''t find a way to refuse without revealing his own ns. He''d need another strategy.


    Jaime took a deep breath, stood up from the couch, and said, "In that case..."


    "Can Nick bring a plus one? I''ve


    never


    Mirabe cut in, taking the inviel


    en the Earl''s estate,"


    from Nick. "I''d love to see what it''s like."


    Hearing Mirabe''s eagerness to go, Jaime swallowed the rest of his words and said, "Sure, that''s doable."


    Nick turned to his sister, his


    expression a bit puzzled. She''d already snagged that guy from the Shepherd family; did she really heed to see more? "Are you serious about going?" Nick asked.


    Mirabe nodded earnestly, "I''m not joking."


    Nick wasn''t sure what she was up to, but he went along with it, "Alright then."


    Jaime, tuned into the siblings'' chat, missed the look on Nick''s face. So when he heard Mirabe was going to the Earl''s estate, he felt relieved. Whatever happened, it was her decision to go. Anything that happened would be on her


    He hadn''t forced her! Jaime quickly found an excuse to leave the Davis family.


    Once he was gone, Nick turned to Mirabe, "Sis, why do you want to go to the Earl''s estate?"


    Mirabe blinked, replying with sincerity, "I really want to see more of the world."


    Nick: "..."


    He almost bought it.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!