"How many people are you bringing to the WKL eSports event?" he asked again, patiently, just to make sure he''d heard correctly. “Your entire ss?”


    "Sixty," Juniper replied calmly, lifting her gaze. "You said it was fine, didn''t you?"


    “I did,” Shanley chuckled, gently brushing his finger against her nose. His voice was a tender, affectionate caress. "I''ll arrange it."


    “Okay.” Juniper arched an eyebrow, a faint smile ying on her beautiful, fair face. "Thanks."


    "Is that all the thanks I get?" Shanley''s lips curled into a smirk as he yfully ruffled her hair, his voice low and tantalizing.


    "Hmm?" Juniper paused what she was doing and slowly turned her head. She ced a finger on his chest, her clear eyes narrowing as she purred, "If I gave you a more... borate thank you, could you even handle it?”


    "Oh?" Shanley caught her mischievous hand, his deep eyes filled with a softness so intense it could pull you in.


    "How many cold showers did you have to take that night, huh?" Juniper challenged, not backing down an inch. The smile in her eyes deepened as she leaned in, her ruby lips brushing against his ear.


    Shanley''s body went rigid, as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head, extinguishing any and all stray thoughts. He released her and, with a dark expression on his handsome face, strode out of the room. "Dana, have Flinte see me."


    “Of course,” Dana said. She brought a tter of fruit over to Juniper and asked cautiously, “Ms. Payne, did something happen? Mr. Schwartz didn''t look very happy."


    “He didn''t,” Juniper agreed, casually nibbling on a piece of fruit. She raised an eyebrow. "And I have a feeling he won''t be for a while."


    “Huh?” Dana just stared at Juniper, utterly confused.


    ...


    "Sixty people?" Flint almost dropped his phone when he heard Shanley''s order.


    "Boss," he said respectfully, "the WKL eSports event ispletely sold out, except for the front-row VIP seats. A few extra people would be one thing, but sixty is going to be tough."


    "Lock down all the seats," Shanleymanded, his tone forceful and direct, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure Juniper is taking her ssmates. I want you to make sure everything is arranged in advance."


    "Ms. Payne''s ssmates?" Flint paused for a second before replying dutifully, "Yes, Boss. I''ll get it done immediately."


    After ending the call, Flint immediately dialed the event coordinator at Infinite Media. "The guests in the front-row VIP section tomorrow are all esteemed guests of Mr. Schwartz. Make sure you take excellent care of them."


    "Esteemed guests?" The chief producer was instantly on high alert. "Don''t worry, Flint," he said, his voice an octave higher. "Nothing will go wrong."


    Flint was Mr. Schwartz''s right-hand man. A personal call from him meant these guests were beyond important. If he screwed this up, he''d be out of a job.


    With that thought, the producer immediately called an emergency meeting, instructing his entire team to provide the utmost care for the


    "esteemed quests" in the front for The regr seats were to be reced with massage chairs, and only the most high-end food and drinks were to be served.


    ...


    That evening, when Shanley came out of the shower, Juniper was leaning against the headboard, watching a video of the Neverfall Navigators'' final match fromst season. Although they had won their towers had been pushed down several times, making it @grueling victory.


    To really understand the team''s issues, she knew she had to see them y live.


    "Who''s your favorite yer on the Neverfall Navigators?" Shanley asked as he lifted the covers. Juniper immediately put down her phone and expertly snuggled into his


    arms.