"Heh." A low, maic chuckle escaped Shanley''s throat as he listened to herint. "While it''s true I need to work hard and save up for our wedding, I''m not so broke that I can''t cover something like that."


    Besides, while Dr. Zigmund could be sharp-tongued, his earlier words had been quite pleasant. He''d wished them a long and happy life together. Shanley couldn''t think of a nicer sentiment.


    "That''s not it..." Juniper stopped walking and looked up at him, her expression serious. "He''s desperate for the Orient Country''s medical field to make a breakthrough, so he''s been conducting a lot of experiments on himself that are damaging to his health. That''s why I got angry and smashed his equipment."


    If he didn''t have the money, he couldn''t buy new instruments. Fewer dangerous experiments meant he might just live a few years longer.


    "So that''s the reason," Shanley said, a little stunned. He hadn''t realized she had such a soft heart, willing to take the me without ever exining herself.


    "In that case..." Shanley considered for a moment. "How about I send him some rare medicines and some new, safer equipment to soothe his wounded pride?"


    "That works," Juniper agreed after a thought.


    When she''d smashed hisb, the old man hadn''t been able to win the argument and had snuck off to the bathroom to cry. He''d seemed genuinely heartbroken.


    "Alright," Shanley nodded, squeezing her hand again. "I''ll have Flint arrange it immediately."


    Meanwhile, in the car, Dr. Zigmund pulled out his phone and edited Shanley''s contact name to "My Golden Goose."


    ...


    Back in the living room, Kent and Hannah were still engrossed in conversation with Harold. Ever since they learned he was Juniper''s biological brother, the elderly couple had be even warmer and more gracious toward him.


    "Don''t you worry," Kent assured him, patting his chest. "With us here, we will never let Juniper be wronged. If Shanley dares to mistreat her, we''ll break both his legs."


    Harold nearly choked on his coffee. That was a bit extreme. His sister wasn''t exactly someone who let herself be bullied. If anything, he was more worried about Shanley.


    After chatting for a while longer, the three of them prepared to leave the Schwartz Manor. As they were leaving, Hannah clung to Juniper her eyes welling up. "My dear, you muuste back and visit an old. woman like me often. Don''t be like that heartless Shanley."


    "I will," Juniper promised with a small smile. "I gave the medicine to your butler. Make sure you and Grandpa take it."


    "Of course, of course!"


    Hearing her call them Grandpa and Grandma sent the two elders over the moon with happiness.


    Once they deft the main hall, Harold departed first. Before they left, Juniper brought up Kurt Schwartz,


    who was still recovering from va


    fracture he''d sustained in a race.


    "Alright, let''s go see him," Shanley said, leading Juniper to the car and driving toward a smaller vi on the estate.


    "Kurt has been moring to see you for a while now," he added softly. His leg injury and Juniper''s busy schedule had made it difficult.


    "Okay." Juniper rested her head gently on his shoulder, a faint smile ying on her


    lips.


    Kurt was a decent guy with real


    talent. Once he recovered, she''d get him into the racing association. With


    him and her brother managing it together, the Orient Country''s racing scene would be unstoppable.


    About ten minutester, the car pulled up in front of a vi. Shanley led Juniper


    inside, but as they reached the door, they could hear Kurt''s loud shouts.


    "Ah, the Racing Goddess! My queen! I love you! You''re the absolute best!" Shanley''s brow furrowed as he looked inside.