Shanley peeled an orange slice and offered it to her, his voice a low, maic hum that seemed to resonate deep within her soul. "Don''t you agree, Juniper?"


    The director was left speechless.


    "Huh?" Juniper took the orange and popped it into her mouth, feeling a pang of guilt. "It''s... alright, I guess."


    "Just alright?" Shanley''s smile turned wicked. He used a napkin to gently wipe a bit of juice from the corner of her lips, his voice a seductive whisper. "Perhaps we should have J-Five''s designere out and hear what''s not ''alright'' about it."


    Juniper choked, the fruit getting stuck in her throat.


    "Are you okay?" Shanley frowned, quickly patting her on the back and holding a ss of water to her lips. He immediately regretted teasing her. She was a terrible liar. A little poke and she was already a flustered mess.


    "Wrap it up," Shanley said, his tone shifting back to business. He decided to let it go. He would give her the freedom to tell him herself, in her own time. If she wanted to, she would. If not, he wouldn''t force her. As long as she was happy and healthy, the source of her many talents didn''t matter to him.


    "Mr. Schwartz, it''s all packaged for you," the director said respectfully.


    "I''ll take it," Shanley said, intercepting Felton who was about to step forward.


    "Yes, sir." Felton paused for a second before retreating. He understood. Anything rted to Ms. Payne was a priceless treasure in the boss''s eyes, not to be touched by anyone else.


    On the drive back, Juniper received a text from the design director: [Boss, Shanley just transferred a huge sum of money to the studio.]


    Director: [He said he was extremely satisfied with the design and added this to cover the pair of earrings you included.]


    Juniper stared at the transfer record,


    her fingers tightening around her


    phone.


    She studied Shatley''s profile


    Had he figured it out? A payment thisrge felt like more than just a


    tip.  s?novels


    But he was actingpletely normal. Maybe... he really was just that impressed with her design?


    "What are you looking at?" Shanley''s eyes fluttered open. "Something you want to say to me?"


    "No." After observing him for a moment, Juniper decided he probably hadn''t discovered her secret. She felt a wave of relief.


    "Here, have some candy," she said, pulling a piece from her pocket and carefully unwrapping it for him. "It''s mango vor."


    It was her absolute favorite, a treat she rarely shared.


    Shanley opened his mouth and epted it, his gaze impossibly deep. He


    understood. This was his Juniper''s way of saying thank you. She fed you.


    ...


    The next morning, at the breakfast table, Shanley was peeling an egg for her Einish up your business and came early, he instructed


    softly. "If anythinges up, call me immediately, understand?"


    "Mhm," Juniper nodded, her spirits low. A birthday banquet couldst for hours. That


    meant she wouldn''t see him for a long time. She wasn''t happy about it.


    Once she had nearly finished eating, Shanley stood up and ruffled her hair. "I have


    to go. I''ll be back as early as I can to be with you."


    He had to get to his grandmother''s party early to help greet the guests.


    Juniper didn''t say anything, just watched him leave with sad eyes His grandma''s birthday banquet... every socialite in Era City would be there wouldn''t they? All those heiresses and debutantes.


    Tsk. Juniper snorted. Suddenly, the egg in her hand didn''t taste so good anymore.