A few minutester, a silver-gray Koenigsegg pulled up to the curb. The door opened, and a tall, elegant man in a dark suit unfolded himself from the car. Shanley walked over to where she was waiting.


    "Have you been waiting long?" he asked, a smile touching his lips as he saw her sitting patiently on the edge of a nter.


    Then he saw her right hand. It had been nearly healed, so why was it suddenly so swollen? Had someone hurt her?


    "No." Juniper stood up, her eyesnding on his face. She raised an eyebrow. He really was handsome.


    "Get in," Shanley said, holding the door for her.


    Once she was settled inside, he asked, "What are you in the mood for?"


    "Anything''s fine." Juniper''s eyes scanned the car''s interior and immediately locked onto a beautiful box of candies on the seat.


    "They''re all yours." Seeing her stare, Shanley chuckled and handed her the box, his smile tinged with indulgence. He turned to the driver. "Moonlight Peak."


    "Yes, Boss."


    Moonlight Peak? Juniper nced at him, opened her mouth to say something, but ultimately decided against it.


    On the way, Shanley had the driver pull over and stepped out for a moment. When he returned, he was holding a mango milkshake and a small white box.


    “It''s mango,” he said, unwrapping a straw and putting it in the milkshake. He ced it on the small tray table by her left hand. "Can I see your right hand?" he asked softly, his tone polite and respectful.


    Juniper''s gaze fell to the white box, and she realized it contained some kind of anti- swelling ointment.


    He was worried about her hand? Her heart gave a little flutter, and a surprising warmth spread through her chest.


    After a moment''s hesitation, she slowly extended her hand.


    Up close, the injury looked worse. The wound had reopened slightly, and the area around the bone was inmed. Against her fair skin, the bruising looked rming. "This ointment works well, but it might sting a little," Shanley said, his deep eyes darkening. He twisted open the cap, dipped a cotton swab in the medication, and added in a gentle, coaxing voice, "Just bear with it, okay?"


    Juniper looked up and met his gaze, which felt as deep as the ocean. Her already unsteady heart fluttered erratically. Why was he being so nice to her? The candy, the medicine...


    "Okay,” she murmured. The injury hadn''t bothered her before, but now that he was tending to it with such care, it inexplicably began to ache.


    The car fell silent. In the front seat, Felton and Flint held their breath, staring in disbelief at their boss, who was so tenderly treating the girl''s hand. He was gentle and patient, a world away from the decisive, ruthless man they knew. If they sent a picture of this to the guys at Sigma Network, their eyes would pop out of their heads.


    "Try not to put any more strain on your right hand," Shanley instructed, his touch as light as if he were handling a priceless treasure. "Apply this three times a day. If the swelling doesn''t go down, tell me, and I''ll take you to a doctor."


    Juniper sipped her milkshake, her clear, bright eyes fixed on the man''s handsome face.


    "Why are you staring at me?" Shanley asked, looking up when she didn''t respond. For the first time, her expression seemed to hold a hint of warmth toward him.


    Had he finally managed to break through her defenses?


    “It''s nothing,” Juniper said with a slight shrug. “It''s just that you remind me of someone, Mr. Schwartz."


    "Oh?" Shanley''s heart skipped a beat, and his expression grew serious. "Who?"


    Felton and Flint pricked up their ears, terrified she was about to mention some unforgettable past love.


    "Well..." Juniper set down her milkshake and slowly uttered two words.


    "My grandfather."