"Our parents must have had their reasons for doing things that way," Jimmie said from the sofa, his eyes welling up. "Otherwise, they wouldn''t have made us wait until we were adults to find each other."


    Jimmie looked up at his siblings, his voice choked with emotion. "Maybe... maybe when we find our other sisters and our parents, we''ll finally get all the answers."


    "Yeah," Harold and Melvin nodded in unison. The priority now was finding their three remaining sisters and their missing parents.


    Juniper, however, remained silent, lost in thought.


    Did her parents have enemies? To make them live in hiding, orchestrate a massive shipwreck, and then erase all traces of their existence... How powerful would those enemies have to be?


    Before getting into the car, Shanley handed Juniper her backpack with a gentle smile. "You get in first. I''m just going to have a quick word with your brother, Harold." "Hm?" Juniper''s eyes flickered with worry, and she instinctively grabbed his hand.


    Harold hadn''t dared toy another finger on him while she was there, but if he went back alone..... she couldn''t make any promises. After all, Shanley hadn''t exactly been friendly to Haroldtely.


    "It''s fine," Shanley said, patting her hand reassuringly. His handsome face broke into a fond smile, his voice deep and charming. "Regardless of the circumstances, I struck first. Whether he''s your brother or not, I owe him an apology."


    He gave a wry, helpless smile.


    "Besides, I am going after his sister. It''s only natural he''d want to hit me. Don''t worry," he added, "I won''t fight back."


    "Oh." Juniper stared at him, a warm feeling spreading through her as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. "You''re pretty tough, then."


    "Heh." Amused, Shanley ruffled her hair. "Be good. Wait for me here."


    With that, he turned and walked back into theb, approaching Harold directly. His attitude was humble. “Dr. Houston, I want to apologize again for what happened earlier."


    “It''s fine,” Harold said, surprised he''d returned. He nced at the girl peering anxiously from the car window, a knowing look in his eyes. "Just let me hit you back."


    "Okay,” Shanley agreed, lifting his chin, his expression deadly serious.


    Harold clenched his fists and slowly rolled his wrists, watching him. Shanley didn''t flinch. Was he really willing to let him take a free shot?


    Pet


    "At first, I was really curious why Jimmie and Melvin agreed to this," Harold mused, a smirk ying on his lips as he narrowed his eyes. "But now I see. You''re not just ich, powerful, and handsome. You have a sense of responsibility, and your genuinely love Juniper."


    He took a step closer.


    "Shanley, I may have just reunited with her, and my bond with Juniper might not be


    as deep as yours, but I am her brother. I will not allow anyone to hurt her.”


    "Her other two brothers said the


    same thing," Shanley said, standing tall, his voice low and steady"


    And


    my answer hasn''t changed. If ever fail Juniper, you can have my life."


    He paused, ncing back at Juniper, his eyes filled with a soft, adoring light.


    "But," he said, enunciating each word, "that day will nevere."


    "You''d better remember that."


    Harold had done his research on Shanley. He knew the man was moreplex than he appeared-ruthless and unpredictable, with a harsh


    e


    reputation. At first, he''d been worried


    for his sister. But after spending time with them, he realized his sister was no saint herself.