Shanley watched the listless girl, but surprisingly, he wasn''t angry. A faint smile yed on his thin lips. "Wendy, could you please get Ms. Payne a warm drink?"


    "I don''t want one." Juniper clutched the ice cream protectively, her face scrunching up as she retorted defiantly, "I like this."


    At home, Shanley was always managing her, and things like ice cream werepletely off-limits. This vor was especially good, and she''d only had a few bites. No way was she letting him throw it away.


    "Oh?" Wendy, who had been about to leave, paused at Juniper''s words.


    "There''s no sun this morning; it''s not good to have something so cold," Shanley said, stepping closer and holding out his hand. "Have something warm now, and I''ll get you more ice cream this afternoon."


    Juniper hugged the container tighter, her expression a mix of grievance and displeasure.


    Watching their exchange, Hannah scratched her head, confused. She turned to Wendy and whispered, “Is it just me, or is there something strange about how they interact?"


    It looked like a host showing concern for a guest, but her grandson wasn''t the type to meddle in other people''s business.


    "I find it odd, too," Wendy whispered back. "They seem so natural with each other, like they''ve known each other for a long time."


    “Hmm?” Hannah was taken aback. They knew each other? That seemed impossible. She figured Shanley had taken a liking to the young doctor and was trying to impress her.


    "Shanley, let the youngdy eat what she wants. Why are you interfering?” Hannah''s brow furrowed as she spoke sternly. “She is my honored guest. Mind your manners."


    Her words were a clear warning for him not to overstep. Fortunately, the girl seemed to be a woman of strong character who didn''t bow to authority and had a cool demeanor. Hannah guessed she probably couldn''t be bothered with him anyway.


    Just as the atmosphere grew tense and Hannah was covering her mouth to hide a smirk, Juniper suddenly, and obediently, handed the ice cream to Shanley.


    "Wendy," Shanley said, passing the ice cream to her, "bring some pastries, too. She likes sweets."


    "Of course."


    Wendy was a bit stunned. First, by the fact that the youngdy actually did as Shanley asked, and second by the fact that she had never seen Shanley care for someone like this before, especially a woman. He had always been so aloof around women that people whispered he might


    prefer men. Well, well, welf was over. He had clearly fallen for the youngdy and was about to be a scoundrel.


    "Have some fruit..." Shanley knew he had upset the girl and was about to try and smooth things over when Juniper suddenly stood up breed to use the restroom."


    "I''ll go with you." Shanley


    immediately got to his feet, to follow her but Hannah stopped him. She''s a woman. What would it look like if you apanied her?"


    Shanley halted, turned to a maid, and ordered in a low voice, "Take Ms. Payne to the restroom."


    Juniper pped her hands together lightly and walked past Shanley, keeping a wide berth. It was obvious she wanted nothing to do with him.


    After Juniper disappeared from view, Hannah tapped her cane on the floor. "Kneel,” shemanded in a severe tone.


    "Grandma, what did you say?" Shanley''s gaze was still fixed on where the girl had been, and he didn''t quite register his grandmother''s words.


    “I said, kneel!” Hannah stood up, her aged face stern and serious. “Is this how our family taught you to behave?"


    Shanley, bewildered by the scolding, still obediently bent his knees and knelt on the floor, his back perfectly straight.