"You... you..." Tucker froze, stammering, "You better cancel that private jet right now. I''m not getting on it."


    “It''s free.” Juniper pulled Tucker toward the VIP lounge entrance and rubbed her nose, unsure how to exin. "You remember Mr. Schwartz, right?"


    "I do." Tucker eyed Juniper, his brow furrowed. "The wealthy benefactor who, on a whim, decided to build us a newb."


    "That''s him." Juniper nodded, exining patiently, "He''s also heading to Moralia Country for business and happened to hear we were going too. It''s just a coincidence, so he offered to give us a lift."


    "Really?" Tucker was skeptical, still worried about the cost. “It''s really free?"


    "Yes." Juniper gave a helpless smile and led him inside.


    “Juniper, you seem to know Mr. Schwartz quite well,” Tucker remarked, his experienced eyes studying her. If he remembered correctly, Mr. Schwartz hadn''t just funded the building; he''d named it after both of them. That kind of gesture suggested a much closer rtionship. He wasn''t buying the ''coincidence'' story.


    Juniper pursed her lips and stared into the distance, feigning deafness.


    "I''ve got it—” Tucker stopped and leaned in close to Juniper, raising his voice. “He''s not some kind of family elder, is he? An uncle or something?"


    After all, Shanley''s mother had never been publicly announced, and the Oscar- winning actor, Jimmie Tate, was known to be close with him. It was certainly possible.


    Shanley, who had just walked over to greet them, heard every word. Uncle? If Tucker kept guessing, was he going tond on grandpa next?


    Juniper also stopped, a dozen retorts dying on her tongue. In the end, she managed only a few words. "Just don''t call him old to his face, or else..."


    "Or else what?" Tucker tilted his head, waiting.


    "He''ll kick us off the ne," Juniper said with a blink, her tone dead serious. "And our chance at thepetition will go up in smoke."


    "Right, right, right." Tucker nodded vigorously. "I understand, Juniper. I''ll keep it a secret. No one will ever know Mr. Schwartz is your uncle."


    Juniper nearly burst outughing but managed to y along. "Good."


    Inside the VIP lounge, Shanley sat on a sofa with Juniper beside him. Tucker took a seat opposite them feeling distinctly ufortable as he asionally stole gfances at the imposing, dark-faced man across from him.


    "Have some coffee, Tucker," Juniper said, nudging Shanley with a triumphant little smile.


    Shanley turned his head, and seeing the grin on her face, felt a mix of exasperation and helplessness. Fine. He''d deal with herter.


    "Thank you for arranging this trip, Mr. Schwartz," Tucker said respectfully.


    “Not at all,” Shanley replied with a faint smile. “You''ve taken such good care of


    Juniper at school. I''m the one who should be thanking you."


    "Oh, no, no Tucker nced at Juniper with admiration. "Juniperis a brilliant girl All the teachers and students love her. She doesret need special care from me."


    "All the students love her?" Shanley repeated the word "all" with a meaningful, almost-smile. "It seems Juniper is quite popr."


    "It''s about time for us to get going," Juniper interjected with a strained smile, standing up. "Let''s go, Tucker."


    They had to board separately from Shanley to avoid drawing attention.


    "Right." Tucker quickly grabbed his suitcase and hurried after her, leaning in to whisper, "Juniper, wh do get the feeling that Mr. Schwartz is actually a little scared of you?"