"Well, actually..." Michael began, pursing his lips and feigningposure. "It''s not like we''re disagreeing, you know."


    "Right, right,” the other masters chimed in, nodding in unison. “Besides, it''s not our call to make anyway."


    Juniper blinked, her gaze instinctively shifting away.


    "Juniper still has school, so we need to head back to Era City this afternoon. I''ll send a trusted associate to handle the transfer of assets," Shanley said with a calm, confident smile. "Also, my parents are worried sick about her. If I don''t bring her back soon, I might not get to keep my legs."


    It seemed the Schwartz family was quite fond of Specter too. But then again, who wouldn''t be? She was beautiful and well-behaved. That old man was lucky!


    "And what''s your take on this?" Michael asked, looking at Juniper, his judgment unclouded by the immense wealth on the table. "Is the score between us settled?”


    “Huh?” Juniper looked up, apletely nk expression on her face. "What about me?"


    The five masters were speechless. Fine. For the sake of thirty billion and half of Sigma Network, they would swallow their pride.


    "Alright, then," Michael sighed in resignation. "We''ll arrange a ne for your departure."


    "Thank you." Shanley stood up and walked over to Juniper, naturally taking her hand. “If Subterra Vanguard needs anything, don''t hesitate to call me."


    “Really?” Robert''s eyes instantly lit up, but his excitement deted the moment he met Juniper''s gaze. "Thirty billion plus half of Sigma Network should be enough for now."


    As for the rest... he''d hash that out once Shanley married into their fold.


    By evening, the private jet hadnded at Era City International Airport.


    "Ms. Payne, Boss, the car is ready," Felton said respectfully.


    "Let''s go to the family estate first." Shanley draped his trench coat over Juniper''s shoulders while ncing at the dozens of missed calls and countless text messages on his phone. He frowned. "If we don''t get back soon, they''re going to tear Era City apart."


    Half an hourter, the sports car pulled up to the gates of the Schwartz family


    manor.


    Shanley held onto the car door,


    easing himself out of the vehicle


    more slowly than usual. Despite his


    strong constitution, the near-fatal


    injury to his heart, the surgery without anesthesia, and several hours on a ne had taken their toll. Hisplexion was palé?


    “Boss, are you alright?” Flint asked, his voiceced with concern.


    "I''m fine," Shanley waved it off, his hand gently resting on the small of the girl''s back. "My grandmother heard you wereing back," he said softly, "and she had the kitchen prepare your favorite desserts."


    "You wait here for me." Juniper''s gaze fell on his chest, her brows knitting together


    as she spoke awkwardly. "I can go in by myself."


    It was just a matter of letting them know she was safe. She had no idea how furious his grandmother and his mother were, and it would be best if things didn''t get physical.


    “Worried about me?" Shanley looked down, his palm gently touching the top of Juniper''s head, a rich smile in his eyes.


    "You find this amusing?" Juniper red at him, puffing her cheeks in annoyance. "Don''t make me kick you."


    "Alright, alright.” Afraid of genuinely angering her, Shanley pulled her closer, his smile effortlessly charming. "It''s just another beating. Let''s go."


    "Absolutely not,” Juniper retorted immediately, her tone sharp with anxiety. Shanley raised an eyebrow. She was clearly worried about him.


    "Another injury like that could be life-threatening," Juniper muttered as she walked toward the house. “We haven''t settled the whole money and base transfer thing yet. You can''t die on me now."


    Shanley''s smile froze on his face. She was truly one of a kind. And she was his.