If she didn''t reply, it was obviously his fault.


    Yes. Mr. Schwartz was learning to gaslight himself.


    "Oh." Juniper pursed her lips, feeling a little embarrassed. "Um... the candy."


    She was out of candy and wanted more. It was strange. Ever since Shanley had given her those special sweets from Australis, she couldn''t get used to any other brand. And now that he had bought out the candy shop, the only way to get more was through him.


    What a pain.


    "You want more candy?" Shanley''s voice was gentle, as if he were talking to a child. "Perfect timing. We''ve just developed some new vors. I''ll bring them to you after school, okay?"


    "Okay." The promise of candy lifted Juniper''s spirits. "I''ll be waiting."


    "Good girl," Shanley replied softly, unable to hide the massive grin on his face.


    Tsk. Look at him, giving it all away for free. Felton and Flint just shook their heads. It was too much to watch.


    In the car, Juniper hung up and looked up, her eyes meeting Rachel''s in the rearview mirror.


    "Hehe, it''s nothing," Rachel said, sensing something was up but not daring to ask directly, so she just yed it off.


    "Oh." Juniper coolly averted her gaze and went back to ying a game on her phone.


    Rachel snuck a nce at the girl. The person on the phone with Master Lunar had sounded like a guy. And when she was talking to him, all of her usual guardedness seemed to melt away. It was like she trusted himpletely.


    Could it be... she was dating someone?


    After dropping Juniper off, Rachel returned to thepany and told Jimmie what she had observed.


    "A man?" Jimmie''s head snapped up, nearly dropping what he was holding.


    Was Rachel implying that the precious little sister he had just found might already have been snatched up by some pig? And he didn''t even know what kind of pig it was. His sister seemed so sweet and vulnerable; she could easily be taken advantage of.


    "It''s just a suspicion," Rachel said, pursing her lips. "Master Lunar is only eighteen. It''s a time for crushes. It''s normal for her to like someone."


    Jimmie stared down at the thick file of information he had on his sister, his face as pale as a sheet and dangerously grim. Juniper had grown up as an orphan. She would easily grow attached to anyone who showed her a little kindness.


    He also saw that her grades weren''t great, and her final exams were just over two months away. This was a critical time for her studies. He didn''t want her getting distracted by some punk.


    He had to find a way to get someone to keep an eye on her, someone who could take care of her.


    Jimmie thought for a moment. An image of a certain man appeared in his mind. Shanley. He was older, responsible, and had no ill intentions. He seemed perfect for the job.


    At Aurora High School, Juniper walked into her ssroom to a chaotic scene. "Juniper, you''re back!" Queenie happily slid into the seat next to her, handing her a lemonade she had bought.


    "Thanks." Juniper took a long sip. "What''s all themotion about?"


    "Some anonymous donor gave a huge amount of money to the school, supposedly several million," Queenie said, propping her chin on her hand, her eyes shining. "It''s weird, though. The donor only had two conditions."


    "What?" Juniper asked casually, still drinking her lemonade.


    "First, the school has to raise student grades. And second..." Queenie paused, a


    faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "No student dating."


    "Oh." Juniper didn''t stop drinking, showing little interest.


    The benefactor must have had his heart broken at this school. He had suffered in


    the rain, so now he wanted to tear up everyone else''s umbre.