Meeting his girl''s curious gaze, Shanley masked the flicker of killing intent in his eyes and offered a gentle smile. "No, I haven''t."


    He had no desire for Juniper to know about the sordid world of Subterra Vanguard or Specter. He just wanted her to have a normal, happy life as a student. As for Specter... he would eliminate that ticking time bomb sooner orter.


    "Oh." Juniper had only asked casually, so she didn''t press the matter.


    Still, she thought, today''s practice confirmed her skills hadn''t rusted. If she were to run into the leader of Sigma Network again, she was still more than capable of taking his miserable life.


    ...


    After the training session ended, Ebony Fox, now in a set of sharp casual clothes, took her sister''s hand. "Juniper, let''s go see your ce."


    Even though Juniper had assured her that Shanley had behaved himself, Ebony Fox needed to see it with her own eyes to be at ease.


    "Okay," Juniper agreed easily.


    "I hope Mr. Schwartz won''t mind?" Ebony asked, her question aimed squarely at him.


    "It would be my honor." Shanley gave a polite nod and dialed Dana, instructing her to add a few more dishes to dinner that night.


    At Cloudscape Community, Juniper sat at the center of the dining table, nked by Ebony Fox and Shanley.


    "Dinner is served," Dana announced.


    As she set down the soup, her eyes met the icy re of the female guest, and she nearly stumbled.


    Good heavens! Ms. Payne''s sister was terrifying. She didn''t look like she was here for dinner; she looked like she was here to interrogate Mr. Schwartz.


    "Thank you, Dana," Shanley said with a gentle smile. "You can go rest now."


    "Yes, sir." Dana scurried away with her tray.


    Ebony Fox carefully observed the apartment and Shanley, her eyes narrowed. He was so polite to the help? The rumors painted him as a reclusive, moody tyrant.


    "Have some soup." Shanleydled a bowl for Juniper, carefully blowing on it before cing it by her hand. "Be careful."


    "Okay." Juniper obediently picked up her spoon and drank.


    "Please, help yourself," Shanley said to Ebony Fox, wiping his fingers with a napkin, his movements refined and elegant.


    "I will." Ebony Fox nodded slightly.


    She noted that Shanley was not only


    attentive but also respected


    boundaries. All his focus serving soup, getting food was directed solely at Juniper. Her mental score for him rose to a tentative 40.


    After dinner, Ebony Fox didn''t leave. Instead, she announced her intention to sleep with Juniper.


    Shanley didn''t answer immediately, looking to Juniper for her decision.


    "Sure." Juniper rubbed her nose, unable to refuse her sister.


    And so, Dana quickly prepared the guest room for the two of them.


    "Go to sleep," Ebony Fox said, tucking the nket around Juniper. Her voice was


    soft. "I''m here. I won''t let anyone bully you."


    Not even Shanley!


    "Okay." Juniper blinked, lying ramrod straight in bed and staring at the ceiling. Great. She was wide awake.


    At three in the morning, Ebony Fox


    felt the mattress beside her shift,


    followed by the sound of faint


    footsteps By the time she sat


    up,


    the small figure was gone.


    Ebony Fox quickly got out of bed and opened the door just in time to see Juniper slipping into Shanley''s room.


    She stood there, questioning her own sanity. Who exactly was she trying to guard against? Did her sister really like Shanley that much?


    She knew Shanley had countless enemies, all of them looking for a weakness to exploit. The thought that her little sister could get burt terrified her. How would she ever exin that to their parents?


    The next morning, Ebony Fox woke early. When she went out to the living room, she


    found Dana setting out breakfast.