Staring at the crumpled design sketch in his hand, Shanley''s expression was indescribablyplex. He couldn''t figure it out... what had he done to make this girl rip him off for tens of millions? Especially during theirmunications-her attitude had been so hostile, it was as if she wanted to kill him.


    Shanley carefully ced the sketch back where he found it, the smile on his lips widening.


    Just how many secrets was this girl hiding? This whole J-Five business, he had to get to the bottom of it.


    Upstairs, Juniper finished her shower but couldn''t find a hairdryer. With her hair still dripping wet, she headed downstairs to find Dana.


    As she reached the turn of the staircase, she saw Shanley, d in a gray-blue bathrobe, standing by the window on a call. His hair was slightly damp, the belt of his robe tied loosely, entuating his lean waist. Below that were his well- proportioned, strong calves. The warm light from above cast a golden halo around him, making him look both casual and dazzlingly captivating. A single nce was enough to make one''s heart race.


    Juniper stopped in her tracks, an unbidden thought popping into her mind: Tsk. He''s old, but he''s kept himself in great shape.


    "Yes, keep an eye on her new productunches," Shanley said, turning his head slightly. His gaze caught the girl on the stairs, and he frowned.


    "That''s all." He ended the call, tossed his phone onto the sofa, and strode towards Juniper. "Why didn''t you dry your hair?"


    Juniper''s gaze flickered. Just as she was about to speak, Dana rushed out from the kitchen. "I''m so sorry, Ms. Payne! I was just about to bring you the hairdryer, but I got distracted in the kitchen and forgot."


    She added, "Have a seat, I''ll dry it for you."


    Ms. Payne''s right hand was injured, so it wouldn''t be easy for her.


    "Give me the hairdryer." Just as Dana was about to step forward, Shanley reached out and took it from her.


    "I''ll take care of Juniper," he said in a low, firm voice. "You get back to the kitchen. She''s probably hungry."


    When he''d picked her up, she''d looked like a wilted little mushroom. She clearly hadn''t eaten. What was she doing out there anyway? Since she don''t want to say, he wouldn


    pry


    into her privacy. As long as she was safe, that''s what mattered most.


    "Oh?" Dana paused for a second, then quickly recovered with a smile. "Of course, Mr. Schwartz." With that, she tactfully retreated to the kitchen, even dosing the door to avoid. disturbing them. Suddenly, only the two of them were left in the living room.


    "Juniper, sit here." Shanley plugged in the hairdryer and beckoned to the dazed girl.


    "Oh." Juniper walked over and sat


    obediently on the sofa. The low hum of the dryer filled the air as warm air swirled above her head. Shezily lifted her eyelids and found Shanley Standing in front of her. His tall frame was bent slightly forward, a position that caused the belt of his robe to loosen, leaving the cor gaping open.


    And... following the line of the belt upwards, she had a crystal-clear view of his chest. It was strong, well-defined, and handsome.


    "Cough, cough." Juniper''s face flushed red, and she instinctively leaned back, trying to create some distance.


    "Stay still, now," Shanley said softly, gently patting her head. "You''ll burn yourself."


    The hairdryer was quite hot. A girl with such delicate skin couldn''t afford to get burned.


    Juniper''s body tensed. A momentter, she felt his long fingers running through her dripping hair. Hebed through it, carefully drying it strand by strand, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a fragile treasure.