Lue''s worry vanished, reced by confusion. “What?”


    "That so-called brother of mine pissed me off," Juniper stated, each word dripping with an annoyance so palpable it could be felt through the screen.


    This was one score she intended to settle.


    "So, your info..." Lue hesitated, unsure what to do. "Should I still give it to... uh..... Jimmie?"


    "Keep it blocked for another two days," Juniper said with a faint smile. “He''s arrogant. Time to take him down a peg."


    "You got it." Lue breathed a sigh of relief. "And congrattions," she added softly. "Our Juniper has a brother to dote on her now."


    A brother? The word still felt foreign.


    After ending the call, Juniper stood up, slung her bag over her shoulder, and left. While waiting at the bus stop, she ran into Shanley, who had left just before her. “Juniper, what are you doing here?" Shanley asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. Juniper shot him a long, hard look, remembering his earlier words about her being "his." She said nothing, turning her gaze away.


    The re left Shanley''s smile frozen on his face. Why did she seem angry? He hadn''t done anything to provoke her.


    “Juniper.....” Shanley pursed his lips, frowning slightly. He was about to get out of the car to ask her what was wrong when the bus pulled up. Without a backward nce, she boarded it and was gone, heading in the opposite direction.


    Shanley was left awkwardly frozen in the middle of getting out of his car.


    "Boss, Ms. Payne seems to be angry," Flint helpfully pointed out, adding fuel to the fire.


    "You think I need you to tell me that?" Shanley snapped, sinking back into his seat. He pulled out his phone, found her number on WhatsApp, and sent a message, his tone sufficiently humble: [Juniper, what''s wrong?]


    She didn''t reply.


    Shanley: [I have some candy. Want me to bring it to you?]


    Still no reply.


    He tried a video call. The instant it connected, she hung up.


    Shanley was at a loss. Just a few days ago, when he''d gifted her that candy shop, she had been so happy she''d even smiled at him. What could have caused such a drastic change in her attitude in just a few days?


    Unless...


    Shanley''s eyes narrowed as he remembered the boy he''d seen at the police station. He and Juniper had seemed quite close.


    "Felton, donate five million to Aurora High School anonymously," Shanley ordered, his face grim as he stared at his unresponsive phone. "Tell Salma to focus on improving the school''s academic standards. And especially..." He paused, the wordsing out cold and sharp. “No student dating.”


    "Yes, sir,” Felton replied, hiding his surprise.


    Could his boss be..... jealous? If Ms. Payne really did fall for a ssmate, would he be facing the first major defeat of his life?


    The thought was a little heartbreaking, but also... kind of hrious.


    ...


    Two dayster, Juniper received another call from Rachel.


    "Master Lunar, please..." Rachel''s voice was practically a sob. "Jimmie wasn''t feeling well that day. He didn''t mean to snap at you. Please give us another chance.


    We really need you for this music video."


    "Fine," Juniper agreed without hesitation.


    Rachel''s fake crying cut off abruptly. "Huh?"


    She was so stunned she almost didn''t register the word. She had been fully prepared for rejection. For Master Lunar to be so agreeable... it didn''t feel right.


    After hanging up, Juniper immediately called Lue, a smirk ying on her lips. "You can un-hide my information. Let Jimmie find it."


    So, he was looking for his sister, was he? And he told her to get lost? Let''s see how this ys out.