At Cloudscape Community, Dana was setting the table in the dining room, sneaking nces at the two people sitting across from each other. They were eating inplete silence.


    Had they fought? She hadn''t heard anything.


    "Ms. Payne, your soup," Dana said softly, cing the bowl down. "Be careful, it''s hot."


    "Thank


    you, Dana." Juniper smiled faintly. As she sipped her soup, she nced at the man opposite her, feeling a little guilty.


    "I might have to go abroad for a few days next week," she began.


    "Oh?" Shanley, who had been wondering how to bring up his own trip, looked up instantly. "Which country? What for?"


    "Moralia Country," Juniper replied, picking up a chicken wing to hide her face. Her voice was slightly muffled. "Tucker is in the finals of the World Programming Competition, and he''s a little nervous about going alone, so he''s taking me with him."


    Moralia Country? The coincidence was almost too perfect. Shanley stiffened, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. "When are you thinking of leaving?" he asked, his voice a low rasp.


    "We''ll leave on Friday," Juniper said, keeping her head down as she nibbled on the wing, naturally avoiding his gaze. She wasn''t good at lying. "Thepetition is on Saturday. Then we''ll, uh... rest for a day, and probablye back on Monday."


    "Eat slowly." Shanley gently wiped a smudge from the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "As it happens, I have a business trip to Moralia Country next week as well."


    Juniper''s head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise. "You''re going to Moralia Country too?"


    "Yes," Shanley said with a slight smile, raising an eyebrow. "Quite a coincidence, isn''t it? There''s a major partnership deal that requires my personal attention. It''s scheduled for this weekend. After my meetings, we can fly back together on Monday."


    "Oh."


    Juniper studied his face, and his story seemed usible enough. But still... why did it have to be Moralia Country?


    Thankfully, they hadn''t made their rtionship public, so it was well-hidden. The leader of Sigma Network, no matter how capable, would never find out.


    After a few seconds of silence, Juniper nodded. "Okay. I''ll just rx at the hotel over the weekend while you handle your work."


    "Sounds good," Shanley replied, cing more food in her bowl, his eyes full of affection.


    Soon, he thought. As soon as he took care of ''Specter'' from Subterra Vanguard, no one would ever be able to threaten Juniper again.


    On Friday morning, Dana had already packed their bags. Felton and Flint were waiting by the car.


    After breakfast, Shanley took Juniper''s hand and led her outside. "I''ve already sent a car to pick up Professor Tucker," he murmured.


    "Okay."


    Juniper slid into the car and immediately received a voice message from Tucker. "Juniper, what''s with these men in ck suits outside my door? They say you sent them to pick me up! Who sends a Rolls Royce for a pickup? Ave never seen such a nice car in my entire life!"


    Juniper couldn''t help but smile. She quickly typed a reply. [Don''t worry, just go with them to the airport.]


    "You only promised to pay for my flight and hotel! This car... I don''t have to pay for it, do I?"


    Juniper sighed. She had finally met someone more frugal than herself.


    They arrived at the airport early. To avoid any unnecessary attention due to Shanley''s status, they headed to the VIP lounge while Juniper waited


    by the entrance for Tucker


    Soon enough, Tucker arrived,


    ???


    pushing his suitcase and looking back at the car, every few steps "Juniper, that car was really something! How much did it cost?"


    "It''s free," Juniper said with a small smile. "You have all your documents, right?"