"Nope,” J said, patting her cheeks. "I have to stay away from him from now on, or I''m going to have a panic attack."


    Saskia peered out the window and saw that Melvin''s car was still parked outside. She sighed. "Juniper''s family are all good. J, you must always treat them with respect, you hear me?"


    "I know, I know," J nodded earnestly. "I promise, I''ll treat them like respected elders, with all the honor they deserve."


    ...


    In the sports car, Juniper was nestled in Shanley''sp, her cheeks flushed as she nuzzled against his chest, her breath carrying the faint scent of alcohol.


    What was Kurt thinking, giving Juniper that ridiculously sweet cocktail? It had hard liquor in it, and it wasn''t a low-proof one either.


    “Juniper...” Shanley gently supported her head, his face creased with concern as he whispered, “Do you want some water?"


    Juniper slowly opened her eyes, which were tinged with red, and shook her head, clearly ufortable.


    "Shh, it''s okay. You''ll feel better once we get back and you get some rest." Shanley stroked her face, pulling her closer, his gaze intense. “Juniper, did you make this bracelet yourself?"


    He recognized the rare sandalwood. It was a prized possession of Baldy Fox, the president of the medical association. Juniper had somehow ''acquired'' it from him recently. It was exquisitely crafted into a bracelet.


    "Mhm," Juniper murmured with her eyes closed, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Now that you''re wearing this bracelet, you''re my man in life. From now on, you''d better behave."


    "Alright." Shanley''s lips curved into a smile, his eyes shimmering with a captivating softness. He yfully tapped the tip of her nose. “After all, I''m a pauper now. I''ll have to make a living under yourmand. I will, of course, be very diligent in serving you."


    Serving her? Coming from his lips, the words had a rather suggestive tone.


    "You''d better be," Juniper huffed, burying her face in his chest, a faint smile ying on her lips. "I''m dizzy. Stop talking."


    "Go to sleep," Shanley said, not disturbing her further. His gaze fell to the bracelet.


    J&S. Looking at the delicate initials


    gat


    carved into the wood, his entire


    being felt enveloped in warmth. He finally had a title. He might not be a husband close enough. Soon, he would rightfully


    at but a fiancé waz


    marry her and bring her home.


    Shanley smiled and took out his phone to message his grandmother, Hannah. The message failed to send. She had blocked him for failing to win Juniper over.


    Shanley shook his head in amusement and sent a friend request with a note: [Mission aplished. I''ve secured the granddaughter-inw you''ve been waiting for.]


    Hannah epted instantly. [Really? I thought you''d offer up your entire fortune and still fail to win the girl over.]


    Shanley: [Not just a girlfriend. She''s my fiancée.]


    Hannah: [Fiancée? Don''t celebrate too early.] Shanley: [?]


    Hannah: [School is starting soon. I''ve already done my research. Theputer science department is filled with handsome young men with six-packs... I even have pictures. Do you want to see?]


    Shanley''s face immediately darkened. [No need. I''m confident in myself.]


    A few secondster, Shanley connected to Hannah''s photo album and began meticulously zooming in on the photos of the ''young men. one by one. He was going to take a serious look.