Everywhere she went, people fawned over her.


    Ynda Sherwin ground her teeth in frustration as she watched a boy who had just been trying to impress her run over to fawn over Juniper instead.


    So Juniper can y a video game, big deal, Ynda thought. Recently, a film crew hade to the university to scout for talent, and they had shown considerable interest in her. It was for a reality show, she''d heard, with some very famous guests. If she could seize this opportunity, she would be a star. And then, who would even remember Juniper''s name?


    Besides, Ferdinand Malone, whose reputation Juniper had ruined, was already plotting his revenge. Her lucky streak was about to end.


    Thinking about this brought a smug smile to Ynda''s face as she walked to ss.


    Meanwhile, Juniper finally shook off her crowd of autograph-seeking "fans" and sat down, replying to a message on her phone.


    Juniper: [What reality show? Not interested!]


    Jimmie: [The director is a friend of mine. He insisted I ask you.]


    Jimmie: [Alright, I know you''re not interested. I''ll turn it down for you.]


    Putting her phone away, Juniper headed to Professor Tucker''s office. The old


    professor had likely pulled an all-nighter tweaking his program and had fallen asleep at his desk.


    Juniper found a nket and gently draped it over his shoulders before turning her attention to theputer screen. On it was the code he had been modifying.


    She ran the program. A small smile yed on her lips as she watched it. He was a good "old student" of hers. it was clear he''d been working hard. and had improved immensely over the years. His skills were now good enough to rank him among the best in the world.


    However, age was catching up to the old professor, and his eyesight wasn''t what it used to be. She noticed some misced characters in the code.


    Juniper spent a few minutes correcting the typos and fixing a few other minor bugs, making the already impressive program absolutely perfect. Once she was done, she quietly left the office.


    A short whileter, Tucker woke up with a groan. Staring at the screen, he saw the program was running more smoothly than ever and was utterly baffled. He distinctly remembered there was still a bug he hadn''t fixed before he''d dozed off.


    Could it be... he had coded in his sleep?!


    On the weekend, Juniper woke up whenever she pleased. As she reached the top of the stairs, she overheard Dana speaking.


    "Mr. Schwartz, should I pick out a


    few more formal dresses for Ms.


    Payne? Her usual style is quite casual. Do you think it''s appropriate for meeting your parents?" Dana asked cautiously, her expression serious she genuinely liked Juniper and wanted her to make a good impression on Shanley''s mother. Although Mrs. Schwartz was known to be easygoing, it was always better to be careful.


    "No, that won''t be necessary," Shanley replied calmly, peeling an egg for Juniper''s breakfast. "Juniper will decide what she wears. Herfort is what matters most."


    "But—" Dana was still worried and was about to protest again.


    "Dana," Shanley interrupted gently, looking up at her. His tone was soft but firm. "Juniper is herself first, and my girlfriend second. With me, she can dowhatever she wants. And that goes for everyone else too. She doesn''t have to change for anyone, not even for me. I love her just the way she is."


    "Oh!" A brilliant smile spread across Dana''s face. Hearing that from him put all her worries to rest. The futuredy of the Schwartz family was undoubtedly Juniper.