Felton turned back around respectfully. Did his boss realize he offered too much?


    "Make it five times the original price," Shanley said, unwrapping a piece of candy and holding it to Juniper''s lips. The warmth in his eyes spread to the corners of his mouth. "If we''re going to work with J-Five, we need to show our sincerity."


    "...Yes, sir.” Felton''s mouth twitched. He had clearly been overthinking it. This was Ms. Payne''s studio, after all. Forget money; the way the boss doted on her, he''d probably give her his life if she asked. A frightening thought urred to him: his boss might be hopelessly lovesick.


    Five times the price? Juniper did a quick mental calction. How generous!


    "You''re so generous,” she said, a wide smile blooming on her face as she took the candy from his fingers. In her daze, her lips identally brushed against his skin.


    Shanley''s gaze darkened instantly, and he swallowed hard. He quickly averted his eyes, feigningposure as he tugged at his cor. "Flint, turn the temperature down a bit."


    Juniper nced at him. Was it really that warm?


    At the Cloudscape Community, Juniper finished her shower and flopped onto her desk, scrolling through her phone while propped up on her homework.


    Qadir had started a four-person group chat with her, Queenie, and Dolce.


    Qadir: [I''m almost done with the review materials Juniper gave me. I feel unstoppable. I wish the exam was tomorrow.]


    Queenie: [Juniper, have they released the exam schedule? I wonder where our school is testing.]


    The uing mock exam was thest major test before graduation. The results were generally a strong indicator of final scores, and reporters often used them to predict the year''s top student. For years, the top scorer in Era city hade from Era High School, and everyone assumed this year would be no different.


    Dolce: [I know! The teacher just sent it to me. We''re testing at Era High.]


    Qadir: [Ugh, how unlucky.]


    Queenie: [So unlucky.]


    They all hated that ce.


    Juniper: [I heard the food in the Era High cafeteria is pretty good.]


    After sending the message, Juniper switched to the J-Five Studio''s group chat. The design director had spammed her with a flood of messages, the most prominent being: [Boss, what did you whisper in Shanley''s ear? He increased the original offer by five times!]


    There were so many zeros he had to count them several times to be sure.


    Juniper replied: [Sell them to him.]


    He had the money, and it would be a waste not to take it.


    Design Director: [Boss, Schwartz Group also wants to partner with us. They said we can name our price.]


    Schwartz Group was a financial


    titan, and Jive had a huge


    reputation. A partnership would be a


    ein


    powerhouse coboration. The director was so excited he sent a voice message "OMG, BOSSD Your


    man is so rich! Where you two"


    getting married? After you''re married, will his money be your money? The richest man in Borealia, the pride of Era City, and he''s hot. Go for it! Get him!"


    Juniper''s face flushed. She was sure the director had lost his mind from counting all that money. She was about to reprimand him when she looked up and saw Shanley standing in her doorway watching her with knowing look. He narrowed his eyes and asked softly, "Another wrong number?"