“Good morning, Miss Ebony Fox.” Dana immediately straightened up, greeting her respectfully.


    "Hello." Ebony Fox walked over and helped Dana arrange the tes, casually asking, “Are Juniper and Shanley living together?"


    “Huh?” Dana was stunned. She guessed that Ms. Payne had gone back to Mr. Schwartz''s room and hurriedly exined, "Miss Ebony Fox, please don''t misunderstand. Even though Ms. Payne is staying with Mr. Schwartz, nothing has happened between them."


    Dana forced a sincere smile. "It''s just that Ms. Payne has trouble sleeping, and she rests better when he''s around. Rest assured, Mr. Schwartz is a man of principle. He would never do anything inappropriate."


    "Miss Ebony Fox has a gun in her pocket," Dana thought frantically. "What if she misunderstands and hurts Mr. Schwartz?"


    "A man of principle?" Ebony Fox listened intently, realizing Dana was telling the truth. She could also see that Juniper genuinely liked Shanley, but she couldn''t resist a dry remark. "There''s a ten-year age gap. Isn''t that outrageous enough?"


    "Uh..." Dana was speechless.


    "I have to go." Ebony Fox sighed helplessly and said to Dana, "Please tell Shanley to take care of my sister. And tell Juniper I''lle see her after my training is over."


    The training wouldst for the next two weeks. She''d be confined to the base and unable to leave.


    “Of course.” Dana nodded eagerly, watching Ebony Fox leave. She had to admit, Ms. Payne''s sister truly cared for her. With older siblings to protect her, the young girl''s hardships were finally turning into blessings.


    She just wondered when they would find the other two sisters, or her parents who were still missing. She was quite curious what kind of parents could raise such a beautiful and exceptional child like Ms. Payne.


    ...


    At Era University.


    Juniper carried a cake box, strolling leisurely toward Tucker''s office. Just as she rounded a corner, Byron seemed to pop out of nowhere, blocking her path.


    "I assume you''ve read over my profile by now, Juniper?" Byron stared at her, his tone as arrogant as ever. "So, what have you decided?"


    "Decided what?" Juniper frowned slightly, genuinely confused.


    Byron was taken aback. He nced around to make sure no one was listening and got straight to the


    point. "To drop Professor Tuckemet


    and be my student, of course. I''m more famous, I have more research funding so many


    students would kill for the chance to be my mentee and don''t even qualify. Frankly, you weren''t quite up to par either, but I''m willing to give you a chance."


    Byron adjusted his suit jacket, puffing out his chest. "After all, as the top scorer, you must have a


    good head on your shoulders. An et


    long as you perform well, I can help you secure a spot in a graduate program and get your experiments approved."


    "These are things Tucker can''t give you," Byron added, not missing the chance to belittle his rival.


    "Are you finished?" Juniper''s stomach was growling, and listening to his incessant droning was getting on her nerves. Her voice was sharp with impatience. "If you''re done, please move. Tucker is waiting for his breakfast."


    "What?" Byron''s voice caught in his throat, his expression instantly hardening.


    "I have no interest in being your


    student." Juniper raised an eyebrow, her tone as t as water. “Also, I suggest you see a doctor and get your ears checked. You seem to be hard of hearing, or perhaps you just don''t understand in English."