"Oh, it''s absolutely gorgeous," Hannah gushed, quickly fastening the ne and admiring her reflection in a nearby mirror, her face beaming with joy. "I''ve never seen a more beautiful piece in my life. Don''t you all agree? This youngdy has impable taste."


    "Yes, absolutely," the maids chimed in.


    The ne was truly stunning. They knew that J-Five Studio''s creations were all one-of-a-kind and astronomically expensive. Getting one required being on a waiting list, with no guarantee of sess. A piece this exquisite had to have cost a fortune. This young doctor dressed so simply; they hadn''t imagined she could be so wealthy.


    "Could it be a fake?" one of the maids muttered under her breath.


    "You think so?" another whispered back, her eyes darting between Juniper and the ne. She had her doubts too. An item worth millions, given as a gift from a student? It was highly likely a knockoff.


    "Quiet!" Wendy, the senior maid, overheard them and hissed, "On the matriarch''s birthday, do you two have nothing better to do than gossip? She detests loose tongues. One more word out of line and you''ll be packing your bags. Now get out!"


    "Yes." The two maids scurried away, but not before casting another skeptical nce at Juniper. They couldn''t fathom what spell she''d cast on the old woman to earn such favor, especially when there were so many high-societydies to choose from. A fake gift? How tacky!


    "My dear, do you know the designer, J-Five?" Hannah asked, stroking the ne as if it were a precious treasure. As a collector of J-Five''s work, she could tell instantly that the ne was authentic-and an exceptionally valuable one at that. A piece of this quality would have taken months, if not years, to acquire. How did this young woman manage it?


    "Ah?" Juniper, who had been nibbling on a slice of watermelon, feignedposure. "We''re somewhat familiar."


    "Really?" Hannah scooted closer, her eyes sparkling. "Would it be possible for you to introduce me? I''m such an tour


    admirer of her designs. Her each piece so unique, so forward-thinking, each with its own story."


    An introduction? Juniper''s chewing slowed. That might be a bit difficult.


    "You know, my grandson also had a nemissioned from her for me not too


    long ago," Hannah continued cheerfully.


    Juniper frowned, a strange feeling creeping over her. This olddy knew about J-Five, and her


    grandson had recently ced a


    order


    the past few months, the


    onlymission she''d takenwas from Shanley. Could it be?


    "J-Five was so generous," Hannah went on. "Not only was the ne exquisitely


    designed, but she also included a matching pair of earrings as a gift."


    Juniper lost all interest in her watermelon. She looked at Hannah, about to ask, when a knock came at the door.


    "Madam, the eldest young master''s gift has arrived."


    "Bring it in," Hannah said, then turned to Juniper with a knowing smile. "This is the one. Take a look."


    A maid entered carrying an elegant,


    reddish-brown wooden box,


    nov.


    l.ne


    hand carved with the image of rising phoenix. The box, the


    design-it was all her own work.


    The maid opened the lid, and Juniper''s eyes fell on the contents inside.