[Sorry, not interested.]


    Juniper gave the message a cursory nce before typing her reply.


    First, she genuinely wasn''t interested. Second, it was unlikely a "senior instructor" could teach her anything. And third... she was a wanted person at Huntsman Institute. Going back would be like walking into a trap.


    To make sure the instructor got the message, she blocked the number.


    Seeing her next message fail to deliver, Ebony Fox was momentarily surprised, then


    a faint smile touched her lips. “That temper is just like my little sister''s.”


    The next second, her phone rang. It was one of her subordinates. "Ebony Fox, Jimmiends in Era City tomorrow night."


    "Understood." Ebony Fox''s response was a low hum. Her gaze drifted to the


    distance, her feelings growingplicated. Soon she would know if Juniper was her little sister or not. And then there was Jimmie, her supposed brother.


    ...


    After the opening ceremony, Juniper was summoned to President Lionel Landon''s office. She assumed she was about to get a lecture about the mishap with her speech. But when she pushed the door open, she found not only Lionel but also Shanley inside.


    “President Landon, you were looking for me?" Juniper''s gaze swept past Shanley as she spoke with calmposure.


    "Come in," Lionel beckoned with a smile.


    "Okay." Juniper entered the office and casually took a seat next to Shanley.


    Lionel was so startled his smile froze on his face. He quickly warned her, "Why are you sitting there?"


    He wouldn''t even dare to sit next to Shanley, yet this student was remarkably bold.


    "Then where should I sit?" Juniper instinctively stood up, her eyesnding on Shanley''s chair. It was a custom leather massage chair,plete with a spread of snacks beside it. Nice setup.


    "Sit here." Shanley stood up, offering hisfortable seat to Juniper. “Help yourself to whatever you want to eat," he said softly.


    "Alright." Never one to be shy, Juniper sat down and immediately picked up a slice of milk cake that had caught her eye the moment she walked in.


    "You-" Lionel''s face contorted in shock at their interaction.


    “Let her sit.” Shanley picked up a napkin, habitually wanting to wipe Juniper''s mouth, but catching Lionel''s astonished gaze, he changed the gesture to simply handing it to her. "How does it taste?"


    "Too much sugar. A bit too sweet," Juniper critiqued as she ate.


    Too sweet? How dare she criticize something Mr. Schwartz gave her? Lionel shot a nervous nce at Shanley afraid the girl''s audacity Would anger him. To his surprise, not only was Shanley not angry, but a faint smile was ying on his lips.


    Was that... a smile?


    In all the years he had known Mr. Schwartz, he had never seen him smile like that! Could it be...


    Lionel looked back and forth between Shanley and Juniper. Despite the significant age gap, surely Mr. Schwartz wouldn''t do something so scandalous... right?!


    “Ahem.....” Noticing Lionel''s stare, Shanley cleared his throat andposed himself. "Juniper''s brother and I are old friends."


    “Oh, I see.....” Lionel visibly rxed, his face breaking into a brilliant smile. "No wonder you two get along so well. So you''ve known each other for a long time."


    A friend''s sister, which basically


    made her Mr. Schwartz''s little sister.


    He had almost let his imagination


    run wild. It was clear their families


    were close; after all, you don''t just donate buildings worth tens of millions on a whim.


    "Juniper is such an excellent student. Not only are her grades


    outstanding, but she''s also..."


    Realizing Shanley special regard for Juniper, the quick-witted Lionel


    immediately began to sing her praises.


    Listening to his incessant chatter, Juniper''s brows furrowed slightly. He was getting loud.