At Era University.


    From a discreet corner, Ynda watched as Shanley personally escorted Juniper out of the president''s office. Juniper said something, and the famously stoic Shanley actually broke into a smile.


    "Seductress!" Ynda clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. She thought that losing the speech would humiliate Juniper, but instead, the girl had somehow managed to recite the entire thing perfectly and show off this time. Not only had she be the talk of the campus, but she had also captured Shanley''s attention!


    "Doesn''t Juniper have a boyfriend? How dare she so brazenly flirt with another man! If Shanley knew, he''d surely be disgusted, right?" Ynda thought. "I have to find a way to expose Juniper''s true colors."


    ...


    At three in the afternoon, Juniper, J, and Queenie arrived early at the restaurant.


    "Qadir and Dolce just got on the subway," Queenie said, pouring Juniper a ss of water. "They''ll be here in about half an hour. They said we should go ahead and order."


    "Sounds good." Juniper closed her game and set her phone on the table. "Order whatever you want. It''s my treat today."


    "Thanks, Juniper!" the other two chimed in, their eyes crinkling with smiles.


    At one point, Juniper excused herself to go to the restroom. On her way back, hands tucked in her pockets, she suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind.


    Instantly alert, she spun around, her gaze meeting a tall figure. The person was dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, ck cargo pants, and matchingbat boots. A cap was pulled low, obscuring most of their face, revealing only a sharp, well- defined jawline.


    It was clearly a woman, and a strikingly beautiful one at that, with an exceptional presence. But more than that... there was something intensely familiar about her facial structure.


    *Have I seen her before?* Before Juniper could process the thought, the woman turned and walked away.


    Juniper frowned. Did the woman mistake her for someone else? How odd. Shaking her head, she turned and headed back to the restaurant.


    After she left, the "bodyguards" who had been trailing her also retreated.


    Only when she was certain the area was clear of any surveince did Ebony Fox emerge from the


    shadows Shapleys men were Protecting her too well. It was impossible to get close to her without revealing her own identity.


    "Fine," she thought. "Jimmie arrives tonight. I''ll meet with him first."


    At the Schwartz Group headquarters.


    "Boss." Felton entered the office, his expression grim. "Ebony Fox has made a move."


    "Screech-"


    Shanley, who had been signing a document, dragged his pen across the contract, leaving a deep gash. His eyes instantly frosted over. "Where?"


    "At the restaurant." Felton flinched under his boss''s icy gaze and swallowed hard. "Ebony Fox attempted to approach Ms. Payne but likely sensed our people and retreated quickly. Their skills inbat and reconnaissance are extremely high they managed to avoid all the cameras. However, they did expose one thing... The renowned special forces senior instructor-Ebony Fox-is a woman."


    “A woman?” Shanley''s deep eyes narrowed, his lips parting slightly.


    "Ebony Fox is infamous at the Huntsman Institute for her ruthlessness. She oncepleted a 5S level assassination mission and escaped unscathed. Whoever red her must have gone to greato lengths."


    "Two days." Shanley''s fingers tightened into a fist, the darkness in his expression deepening, his eyes as menacing as a stormy sea.


    Felton was momentarily confused, not understanding what "two days" meant.


    "Within two days, I want to see Ebony Fox alive." Shanley tossed the pen on his desk and slowly wiped the ink from his fingers, his face a mask of terrifying calm.