J: [Not racing.]


    Juniper popped a piece of fruit into her mouth, typing with one hand. She''d had too many of her identities exposed recently and still hadn''t exined thest one. The memory of Shanley''s and her brothers'' bewildered looks was... annoying.


    Ghoul''s excitement faltered: [J, are you sure? A lot has happened in F1 since you left.]


    He exined that after J''s retirement two years ago, the national racing scene had taken a massive hit. No new top-tier drivers had emerged, and thest two championships had been won by foreignpetitors. The country''s racers were constantly belittled on the international stage.


    This year, they had finally secured the honor of hosting an F1. However, of the three slots allocated per country, they had only managed to find one driver who met the stringent requirements.


    The uing race would be a massive event, drawing the best drivers from around the globe, including several previous champions and runners-up. Their lone driver would be isted and likely bullied by the other teams. If they couldn''t even break into the top ten on their own home turf, they might lose their eligibility topete in future F1 seasons altogether.


    Ghoul: [J, can we meet? It''s too much to exin over text.]


    Heid out the bare bones of the problem and waited anxiously for her reply.


    J: [Not convenient.]


    Juniper''s response was immediate. Ghoul was the agent she''d worked with back then. She had only nned to race for one year, just for the experience. But after she won, Ghoul had shamelessly begged her toe back every year, always with some sob story about the national racing scene being in peril or foreign drivers disrespecting their country, pleading with her to "defend the nation''s honor." And so, she had been "forced" to race for three consecutive years. This time, she knew he was just cooking up another excuse to get her back on the track.


    Ghoul: [J, I''m not tricking you this time...]


    J: [That''s what you said the second and third times, too.]


    Ghoul was speechless, wanting to p himself. This time, it really was a crisis. If they didn''t get a good result, the country''s professional racing scene would be finished.


    J: [Busy. Gotta go.]


    After sending the message, Juniper blocked him without a second thought. The world was finally quiet again.


    That evening, Juniper sat at the


    dinner table, her chin propped in her hands, eyes fixed on the wall clock Shanley had texted saying he''d be home at seven. There were only three minutes and twenty-eight seconds left. She sighed, a little dejected.


    "Click."


    Just as she was counting the seconds, the front door opened. She turned her head


    to see the tall, imposing figure of Shanley, dressed in a sharp suit.


    "You must be tired from all that shopping," he said, walking over


    her after washing his hands.


    1.bet


    He


    gently smoothed down a few stray


    strands of her hair  fo


    "It was okay." Juniper blinked and pushed a small te of sliced oranges towards him.


    "Mr. Schwartz, Ms. Payne prepared those for you herself," Dana, the housekeeper, added with a warm smile.


    Juniper ducked her head and focused on her food, her cheeks feeling a little warm. He''d stood up for her, so she got him some oranges. It was only fair.


    "Is that so?" Shanley picked up a slice and popped it into his mouth.


    "Thank you, Juniper," he said, his voiceced with affection. It was the first time


    she''d ever prepared fruit for him. It had to be sweet.


    As the vor exploded in his mouth, the incredibly sour taste shot


    straight to his brain is smile froze He had never tasted an orange this sour in his entire life.


    "Is it sweet?" Juniper asked, looking at him earnestly.