"Some old, ugly, annoying fossil," Juniper fumed, punching a sofa cushion in frustration. “Even if I told you, you''d never find him.”


    "Oh, really?" Shanley chuckled, finding her anger both endearing and amusing. It was the first time he''d seen her this worked up.


    "And what makes you so sure I can''t find him?" he asked softly.


    He was, after all, the leader of Cybeic Shadows, one of the world''s top hacking collectives. Aside from the mysterious head of Subterra Vanguard, there was virtually no one he couldn''t track down.


    Juniper turned to look at him, her clear eyes shimmering. For years, Subterra Vanguard and Sigma Network had been searching for each other to no avail. How could Shanley possibly seed?


    "You see, I''m-" Shanley began, a smirk ying on his lips as he prepared to reveal his identity, but he was cut off by the phone ringing.


    It was Jimmie. Juniper snatched the phone and epted the video call. "Jimmie."


    "Juniper," Jimmie''s voice came through. He had just wrapped up filming and was packing to return home. "I should be back in Era City by the morning after next, at thetest."


    The flight from his location to Era City was over twenty hours.


    "Okay," Juniper replied quietly.


    "Start packing a few things. I''lle pick you up and take you home as soon as Ind."


    She understood his words perfectly but said nothing.


    "Juniper, did you hear me?" Jimmie asked, raising his voice when he got no response. “I said, pack your things. The first thing I''m doing when I get back is bringing you home."


    He waited for her reaction. Living with Shanley must have been inconvenient for her in so many ways. He was sure she''d be thrilled toe home.


    One second passed. Then ten.


    "Okay," she mumbled, her head bowed as she listlessly picked at the sofa fabric. Her voice was t, devoid of any excitement.


    Jimmie was confused. What was going on? Shouldn''t she be happy abouting home?


    "Juniper''s been busytely; she''s probably just tired," Shanley said,


    taking the phone from her with di


    righthand while using his left to offer her a piece of oran


    his


    on a fork.


    “Oh, I see,” Jimmie said, relieved by the exnation. “Well, in that case, could you help her with the packing? I''d appreciate it.”


    The call was on speaker, and Juniper heard every word. She ignored the orange and stared intently at Shanley, waiting for his answer.


    "About that..." Shanley''s gaze met hers, a faint smile on his lips. “Let''s talk about it when you get back."


    Satisfied with his response, Juniper finally opened her mouth and ate the orange. It was incredibly sweet.


    Jimmie, however, was puzzled. Something felt off.


    "Alright, We''ll sort it out then," he said, deciding not to press the issue since he was in a hurry to catch his flight. It wasn''t like Juniper had much to pack anyway.


    "Oh, by the way..." Just before hanging up, Jimmie remembered the search for their family. "I was nning on hiring Cybeic Shadows again for this."


    At the mention of that name, Juniper''s mood soured instantly.


    "No," she snapped before Shanley could speak. "Cybeic Shadows took forever to find mest time. How can they call themselves top tier Hacking group?! Ift were their leader, I''d be so ashamed I''d go dig a hole and nevere out!"


    "Juniper, you don''t understand, Cybeic Shadows is-" Jimmie began, frowning. Did his sister not know that Shanley was their leader? Thest search was a fluke, his own fault for giving them the wrong information. Besides, insulting Cybeic Shadows right in front of its leader...