By the time Shanley and his men gave chase, their car was already far down the road.


    "Boss, why did Specter suddenly retreat?" Flint asked, confused. "That''s not like him at all."


    "And another thing," Flint added, scratching his head and muttering, "Specter seemed different than before, almost... younger."


    "It doesn''t matter,” Shanley said, his deep-set eyes narrowing slowly. "He''ll be at the Hacker Competition. We''ll have our chance."


    Truth be told, neither side was fully prepared for this confrontation. If more people had been involved, there would have been casualties. Besides, Specter seemed to be in a hurry to deal with something else, trying to eliminate him quickly.


    "Let''s head back."


    "Yes, sir."


    Flint got into the driver''s seat, his mind still on Specter. It was strange. He''d gotten a good look at Specter''s back, and it felt incredibly familiar. A bit like... Ms. Payne!


    But then he dismissed the thought. Ms. Payne was just a kid; how could she possibly be that old veteran, Specter? Besides, she was resting back at the hotel. The gunshot must have been making him see things.


    ...


    On the way back, Shanley took off his mask and carefully examined the cut on his face in a small mirror. It was right on his lip. The wound wasn''trge, but it was noticeable.


    Damn it! He tried to conceal it but found it difficult. He hoped Juniper wouldn''t mind.


    ...


    At the hotel, Juniper rushed into her room, calmly washed her face, and dove under the covers, pretending nothing had happened.


    Ten minutester, Shanley gently pushed the bedroom door open.


    "All taken care of?" Juniper asked, leaning against the headboard. She let out a sigh of relief, d she''d made it back in time.


    "Yes." Shanley ced a box of pastries on the nightstand, his gentle gazending on her face. “Why are your cheeks so flushed?"


    She''d just been in a gunfight, of course they were flushed.


    “Oh," Juniper blinked, spinning a lie with a straight face. “It''s a little hot with the heat on."


    “Be careful not to catch a cold,” Shanley said, not suspecting a thing. “Want some cake?"


    "Wait a second,” Juniper said suddenly, leaning closer to him. Her clear, beautiful eyes stared intently at his face. "You''re hurt."


    Shanley froze, the cake in his hand forgotten, a hint of panic shing across his face She''d noticed tha


    que knew it. The girl was


    always staring at his face.


    “Here..." Juniper raised her hand, her soft, cool fingertip gently touching his lip. Her delicate features scrunched up in concern.


    The touch sent a shiver through Shanley, and his eyes darkened. The gesture was far too intimate.


    “Juniper,” he said, his voice husky as he gently took her hand. His deep eyes narrowed. “Don''t touch me like that. It''s dangerous.”


    "Oh?” Seeing the way he was staring at her, Juniper''s interest was piqued. She leaned in even closer. "How dangerous?"


    They were so close that the slightest movement would bring them into contact.


    Shanley''s throat tightened. He knew


    he had little resistance when it came to her. He was already trying his best to hold back, but if she was going to deliberately provoke him...


    He was a normal man, after all.


    "Do you want to find out?"


    Shanley''s lips curved into a slight smile as he leaned forward, his gaze burning as it fixed on her pink lips. Yes. He wanted to kiss her. He was willing to risk getting his legs broken by her brothers for it.