The manager stood stiffly, intimidated by the sheer force of the young woman''s presence. How on earth was Ms. Payne his boss? She was just a teenager, but shemanded the room with terrifying authority.


    "The ounts are in order," Juniper said, rising from her chair and heading for the door. "I''ll be back to check in again sometime."


    "Of course," the manager replied, bowing his head and following a few steps behind her.


    As they walked, Juniper''s steps faltered. Her gaze hadnded on a bowl of candy on a nearby table.


    "Would you like some, Boss?" the manager asked, quickly grabbing the bowl and offering it to her.


    Juniper''s lips pursed, and she instinctively started to reach for a piece. But halfway there, she seemed to remember something and sheepishly pulled her hand back, stuffing it in her pocket. "No, thank you," she said firmly, then started walking again. "And by the way, don''t let anyone else know about my connection to this ce."


    "Anyone else?" the manager asked timidly. "Do you mean... Mr. Schwartz?”


    "Yes," Juniper mumbled. She felt like she''d already revealed too many of her secretstely; she wasn''t sure how she would exin this one to Shanley.


    "Understood," the manager said, though his curiosity was piqued. As they reached the corner, he stopped and bowed deeply. "Take care, Boss."


    "Mmm," Juniper nodded and was about to turn away when her eyes met a tall, imposing figure standing just around the bend.


    It was Shanley, dressed in a crisp white shirt and a dark blue tie, his sharp eyes fixed on her.


    "Mr. Schwartz," the manager stammered, being the first to recover.


    Oh, no. The boss didn''t want him to know, but he had practically shouted his farewell. Mr. Schwartz must have heard him.


    Shanley walked toward them, his movements fluid and graceful. "You were gone so long, I got worried," he said to Juniper, his voice a low, maic hum.


    Juniper tilted her head up to look at him, her lips parting slightly. "Did you... hear what we were saying?" she asked tentatively.


    "Hmm?" Shanley reached out and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear a yful smile, touching his lips. You mean when the manager called you ''Boss''?"


    Juniper froze, her expression crumbling. He had heard.


    "I never would have guessed," Shanley said, leaning down so they were eve to eye his smite growing wider and more affectionate Our little Juniper is the owner of Moonlight Peak. What a wonderful surprise."


    Moonlight Peak had been founded three years ago and had quickly be the top restaurant in Era City, yet its owner had always remained aplete mystery: Who could have imagined that the mastermind behind it all was


    fifteen-year-old girl?


    A dancer, a designer, a genius, and now, a restaurant tycoon. This girl was full of surprises.


    "Ahem..." Juniper''s cheeks grew warm. She blinked, forcing a casual,zy smile. "Well, I suppose I can give you a ten percent discount on today''s bill."


    Moonlight Peak never offered discounts. For him, she''d make an exception.