Juniper slowly turned her head. There stood Shanley, his expensive suit slightly disheveled, his deep eyes locked on her in a state of shock. She said nothing, simply blinking at him.


    "Young Master Shanley," Wendy greeted him respectfully. "What brings you here?"


    After all the matriarch''s attempts to get him to meet Ms. Payne, his sudden appearance was a surprise.


    Hannah watched him, her sharp eyes missing nothing. The way he was staring at Juniper... it was intense, electric. After a few seconds, the shrewd old woman knew. Something was going on here.


    "Shanley? What is it?" Kurt asked, moving to his cousin''s side,pletely bewildered by his unwavering focus on the fierce girl. Sure, she was pretty, but Shanley had seen his fair share of beautiful women. And wasn''t he already involved with someone?


    "Grandma," Shanley finally said, tearing his gaze away long enough to incline his head respectfully, though his eyes immediately flickered back to Juniper, a faint smile touching his lips.


    Hannah''s suspicions solidified. Her wayward grandson was smitten. But he had told her his heart already belonged to someone else. Was he nning to pursue both of them?


    "What do you want?" Hannah''s voice turned cold. She smoothed her dress, trying to contain her anger. "If you have nothing important to say, go entertain your guests. Kurt and this youngdy are having a lovely chat. Don''t be a nuisance."


    They were having a lovely chat? Shanley''s expression darkened as his gaze fell on Kurt.


    "That''s right! We''re getting along great!" Kurt whispered


    conspiratorially to Shanley, his mind on the promised motorcycle. promise I''llplete the mission


    and make Grandma happy"


    "That mission is no longer necessary," Shanley said grimly, still staring at Kurt''s cheerful, oblivious face.


    "Huh?" Kurt didn''t understand.


    "This youngdy saved


    Grandfather''s life, making her an honored guest of the Schwartz


    family," Shanley announced, his gaze shifting to Juniper, his voice softening. "As such, it''s only proper that I entertain her personally."


    "That won''t be necessary," Hannah retorted, still annoyed about being stood up so many times by him. You''re too old for her. You two would have nothing inmon. You should be paying more attention to the treasure of your heart


    A phnderer. She wouldn''t let him treat this girl like just another conquest!


    The treasure of his heart? Shanley paused, then realized his grandmother thought he was trying to two-time someone.


    Juniper, who had been quietly enjoying the show, raised an eyebrow. The treasure of his heart? Who was that?


    "So, Shanley," Kurt interrupted, puffing out his chest. "How am I doing? I''m doing a great job keeping Grandma happy, right?"