"My mom always said gamers can''t get good grades. I''m sending this to her!"


    "Easy there. Demon can do it, but you''re not Demon!"


    Amid the roaring cheers, the stirring sound of the national anthem filled the entire arena. After the award ceremony, Juniper tossed the trophy to MystiCat and rubbed her neck. "You guys must be exhausted. Go home and get some rest."


    "Boss," MystiCat said, clutching the trophy as he and the team trailed after her like ducklings. He blushed slightly. "How about we all go out for a celebratory dinner?” "Dinner?" Juniper paused at the door to the lounge, her eyes lifting with a hint of hesitation. When food was involved, a moment''s pause was only fair.


    "We could go get..."


    MystiCat was about to make a suggestion when the lounge door swung open. A tall, imposing man in a ck trench coat stood there, one hand in his pocket and an ice cream cake in the other. His refined, aristocratic features and powerful aura left Mysticat and his team momentarily stunned.


    "Boss, who is this?" MystiCat asked, looking from the man to Juniper.


    Shanley remained silent, waiting for Juniper''s introduction, his gazending on MystiCat with a chilling intensity. He had watched the entire award ceremony, and this guy''s eyes hadn''t left Juniper for a second.


    Juniper walked over to Shanley''s side, a faint smile gracing her lips as she spotted the cake. "My boyfriend."


    "Boyfriend?" MystiCat was taken aback, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Boss, you already have a boyfriend?"


    "What? Is that so surprising?" Having received the answer he wanted, Shanley stepped forward smugly and gently took Juniper''s hand. His voice was a low rumble. “Juniper''s a bit tired today and wants to rest. Let''s reschedule the dinner for another time."


    Mysticat frowned but ultimately nodded obediently. "Of course, Boss. Get some good rest."


    “I will,” Juniper replied absently, her attention already fixed on the cake. “What vor is it?"


    "Mango. Your favorite," Shanley said, closing the door behind them.


    "Bang."


    MystiCat and his team were shut out.


    "Well," Mysticat sighed heavily, his head drooping. It made sense. Someone like his boss deserved someone even more exceptional.


    ...


    Inside the lounge, Juniper sat on the sofa, taking small, slightly guilty bites of cake.


    "Demon?" Shanley gently wiped her mouth with a napkin, a strange smile on his face.


    "Oh." Juniper met his gaze without flinching, holding out her hand.


    "Surely Mr. Schwartz is


    Schwartz isn''t nning


    to back out of our deal?" >


    "Of course not." Shanley pulled out a bank card and ced it in her palm, his voice soft and affectionate "Anything you want, it''s yours."


    Juniper looked at him, remembering the time she had impulsively kissed him. Damn it! She was discovering that Shanley was even more handsome when he was giving her money. She couldn''t help bubstare for an extra second.


    "Juniper..." Shanley leaned in, but just as he was about to speak, her phone buzzed


    with a notification.


    [OMG!!!!]


    It was from Miranda.