She was being so secretive. She must have been looking for the right opportunity to strike.


    "Are the men ready?" Shanley asked, his grip tightening on his phone. A shadow fell over his face, as dark and cold as ayer of frost.


    “They''re ready,” Flint replied respectfully. “All of them are elite operatives from Sigma Network. I guarantee Ebony Fox won''t leave here alive."


    "Stay on her." Shanley nced back, his eyesnding on Juniper''s calm face. “Find


    the right time and ce," he ordered, his voice raspy, “and take care of her."


    "Understood, boss." Flint confirmed. Before hanging up, he ventured cautiously, "Should we inform Ms. Payne?"


    "...No." Shanley thought for a moment and shook his head. "Juniper is starting her sses today. I don''t want anything else to trouble her."


    Besides, he was there for her. A man who couldn''t protect his woman was useless.


    After breakfast, Shanley had nned to drive Juniper to school, but a call from Melvin came in right on time.


    “I''m heading over to Era University for some business anyway," Melvin said. "I can give the girls a ride."


    The girls? Shanley paused for a second before it clicked. Melvin clearly had other motives. "Alright," he agreed.


    Juniper noddednguidly. "I''ll go with J," she said, her eyes half-lidded.


    "Okay." Shanley handed the bag to Melvin and walked them downstairs. "Drive safe,” he said, his expression serious.


    Melvin shot him a baffled look, feeling personally insulted. "Hello? Melvin Steele, three-time international racing champion. You think you need to worry?"


    Shanley just offered a helpless smile. He couldn''t exactly exin the real danger without risking Melvin impulsively investigating andpromising the n to eliminate Ebony Fox.


    “Alright.” Shanley nodded, his gaze softening as it fell on Juniper. “Call me when you get to campus."


    "You''re acting very strange today," Juniper said, staring straight at him. She blinked. "Are you seeing someone else?"


    "What?" Shanley felt deeply wronged, his face flushing. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Don''t you know whether I am or not?"


    “Oh, shut up.” A sudden heat rose in Juniper''s cheeks. She pushed him away, ducked into the car, and said, “Let''s go.”


    As they drove, Melvin nced in the rearview mirror, trying to gauge J''s expression. "There are a couple of bags of snacks for you two to take to school.


    fel


    Juniper nced over. The two bags were different, each filled with snacks chosen ording to their individual tastes.


    "Thank you, Mr. Steele," J said, sitting primly. Her demeanor toward Melvin was that of respectful deference, as if he were a respected elder.


    "You''re wee." Melvin smiled warmly. "When you don''t have ss, you and Juniper shoulde visit."


    "Okay,” J replied softly, stealing a quick look at Juniper.


    "Melvin..." Juniper looked up at him. “What kind of business do you have near Era University?"


    "Ah?" The question caught him off guard, and Melvin, who had fabricated the excuse, almost bit his tongue. "Oh, just a small thing. A very small thing."


    “I see,” Juniper said, her knowing tone making the hair on his neck stand on end. He wondered if she was getting revenge for him teasing Shanley Had she really be that loyal?