After finishing her lunch, Juniper picked up some grapes and popped one into her mouth. Her gaze lingered on Melvin as she asked, "You seem to really like your sister."


    "Of course." At the mention of his sister, Melvin''s smile widened, his eyes filled with warmth. "As far back as I can remember, she was always sticking close to me. Out of all our brothers and sisters, she liked me the best."


    "Is that so?" Juniper paused, a grape halfway to her lips. She narrowed her eyes, a knowing smile ying on them. She seemed to recall Jimmie saying the exact same thing-that she had been closest to him. Two brothers, two different stories. How


    odd.


    "J..." Melvin stared at the young woman before him, his voice slightly hoarse. "I heard you''re an orphan. Do you remember if you had any family?"


    Although he had already sent a hair sample for testing, this was a perfect opportunity to ask.


    "I had brothers and sisters..." Juniper picked up her fork and slowly ate a piece of mango. "Why?"


    "You have brothers and sisters?" Melvin''s smile froze. He had beenpletely unable to find any information on her past. To think she had siblings. Recalling the preliminary DNA results showed a high probability of a match, his heart pounded with excitement. This meant there was a strong chance Juniper was his sister. What had he done to deserve such a brilliant and beautiful sister?


    "I do," Juniper said, setting down her fork. She rested her chin on her sped hands and looked directly at Melvin. "After you find your sister, what do you n to do?”


    Melvin''s throat tightened. He cleared it and answered seriously, "I''ll make it up to her, love her, and protect her with everything I have. Then, I''ll find our other siblings so we can have a family reunion.” He nced guiltily at Juniper and added in a low voice, "After all... I am the oldest brother."


    After hearing his words, Juniper''s smile widened. She leaned back in her chair. "With such sincerity, I''m sure fate will help you find your sister. Who knows, you might even find a brother too."


    Melvin stared at her, puzzled by her cryptic remark. Just then, his phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from Binary Oracle: [Mr. Steele, we have a positive identification on your sister. Please remit the final payment. You will receive theplete file in ten minutes.]


    Ten minutes? Did that mean he had really found his sister? It was so sudden; he wasn''t mentally prepared. If his sister was really ... how was he supposed to break the news to her gently? Would it scare her? Besides, the gifts he had prepared for her hadn''t even arrived yet.


    For the next few minutes, Juniper calmly continued eating her fruit, while Melvin, pale-faced, struggled to type in his bank password with trembling fingers.


    "Beep. Payment sessful."


    After settling the bill, Melvin waited anxiously for the full report. He was more nervous now than he had ever been before a life-or-death race.


    Across the city, Jimmie was in his studio, busy with a music video shoot butpletely distracted. His mind was consumed with the thought of the precious girl being snatched away. Worse, he was the one who had led the wolf to her.


    Jimmie pinched the bridge of his nose, a throbbing pain in his temples. He couldn''t bear the


    thought that Shanley might be


    predator. As he was lost in thought, his phone vibrated. A message from Binary Oracle: [Mr. Tate, your task isplete. Please remit the final payment. You will receive the


    Jimmie shot up from his seat, rereading the message again and again.