“And Juniper,” Jimmie continued, not hearing a response from his sister, “your exams areing up soon. Make sure you stay away from any boys with bad intentions, you hear me?"


    The exams were just an excuse. He had plenty of money to support her whether she got into a good university or not. The main point was to keep her away from opportunistic young men.


    Boys with bad intentions? Juniper licked her spoon, her eyshes fluttering as she shot a subtle nce at Shanley.


    "With me here, no punk will get near her," Shanley said, cing a freshly sliced apple into her bowl before casually wiping his fingers.


    “I appreciate you looking after her all this time,” Jimmie said with a low, sincereugh.


    "Don''t mention it," Shanley replied, his deep eyes fixed on the girl, a smile ying on his lips. “We''re family. It''s what I should do."


    Family?


    The word made Juniper''s fingers tremble almost imperceptibly.


    Jimmie, however, paused for only a second before agreeing warmly, "Yes, we are.”


    He figured Shanley was acknowledging her as a little sister. Of course they were family.


    After a few more words of instruction, he hung up,pletely at ease.


    Silence returned to the dining room.


    "You have the day off. Any ns?" Shanley asked, his gaze soft as he watched her.


    “I''m going to the mall to buy some things for Saskia and J.”


    Juniper had finished eating and was looking for a napkin when Shanley swiftly pulled one out and gently wiped a smudge of juice from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes flickered, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.


    “Alright.” Shanley nodded, azy yet mesmerizing smile on his lips. “I''ll drive you.”


    "Okay," Juniper agreed with a yawn.


    Saskia and J lived frugally, always skimping on food and clothes Even after Saskia bought her new outfits, the two of them still wore their old things. She wanted to use the weekend to buy them something nice.


    When Shanley came downstairs, dressed to go out, he was holding Juniper''s bag.


    He handed her a ck card. "There''s no limit on this. Buy whatever you like."


    “Aren''t you afraid I''ll spend all your money?" she teased, twirling the card between her fingers.


    "Heh." Shanley leaned in close to drape her jacket over her shoulders, one eyebrow raised. "Don''t worry. have plenty of money I can afford to support you. Spend as much as you want Their faces were so close she could smell the faint, clean scent on him. It was a nice smell.


    Juniper blinked and pushed the card back into his hand. “I have my own money. I don''t need it." She still hadn''t touched the money she''d conned out of her brother.


    "Fine." Shanley gave her a deep look and took the card back with a light chuckle. “I''ll hold onto it for you, then. After all..."


    "What?" she asked, looking at him curiously.


    *After all, it will all be yours someday.*


    “Come on, we''ll bete.” Shanley didn''t answer, simply picked up her school bag, and headed for the door. Juniper followed obediently, a puzzled expression on her face.


    In the parking lot, Saskia and J wereing downstairs, their faces bright with excitement. But when they saw who was in the car they froze, their smiles turning stiff and awkward. "Mr. Schwartz."


    “Hello,” Shanley said, stepping out of the car. He gave a slight, respectful bow. "Please, get in."


    Saskia and J exchanged a wide-eyed look. This friend of Juniper''s brother was clearly someone important. His presence was incredibly intimidating.