Hearing Juniper''s words, a slight smile yed on Shanley''s lips. He carefully
straightened her coat and brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "Never mind one Huntsman Institute. If you wanted to take down the entire continent, I''d
make it happen."
Juniper looked at him, and the storm of anxiety in her heart gradually calmed.
Back at Era University, Juniper had just stepped onto campus when she heard the news: Byron had been taken in for investigation and was facing serious prison time. The university had offered the position of Head of the Computer Science Department to Tucker, but the old man had refused.
His reasoning was simple: being a department head meant dealing with university administration, cating teachers and students, and enduring endless meetings and reports. Where would he find the time for his research? After much consideration, Tucker had decisively turned it down.
"Master, you''re not angry, are you?" Tucker asked cautiously, obsequiously cing a milkshake and snacks in front of her.
"It''s what I expected," Juniper said with a knowing smile as she sipped her milkshake. "If you don''t want to be the department head, then don''t be."
If he took the job, his workload would skyrocket, and she''d probably have to clean up his messes. It was better this way.
"I need to request some time off." Juniper ced a leave request form on the table, handed a pen to Tucker, and said bluntly, "Sign it."
"Time off?" Tucker held the pen, asking tentatively, "What are you up to?"
Juniper didn''t say a word, her clear eyes just fixed on the old man.
"Alright, alright!" Tucker, so startled he almost dropped the pen, hastily signed his name. "Master, pleasee back soon!" he couldn''t help but add. There were still so many research problems in theb he couldn''t figure out without her.
"Deal," Juniper nodded. Before leaving, she made sure to stuff all of Tucker''s snacks into her bag.
"Ah-" Tucker''s heart broke. He bit on a handkerchief, not daring to protest.
Gone. It was all gone. The girl had swept through his stash like a one-woman raiding party, leaving nothing behind.
"What''s wrong?" Juniper asked, raising an eyebrow after she finished packing.
"Nothing." Leaning against the doorframe for support, Tucker waved weakly. "Safe travels. Pleasee again."
Juniper couldn''t help but chuckle. As she walked out, she sent a text to Shanley: Get Tucker some more snacks. J
She''d grown tired of her old favorites. Lately, she''d developed a craving for his junk food.
Returning home, Juniper dropped her backpack and immediately started packing a suitcase. It was clear Ebony Fox was heading back for a final showdown with the Huntsman Institute, and they weren''t going to let her off easy.
If the antidote was administered once a month, then based on the timing her next dose was due any day now. Juniper didn''t want her sister to spend a single extra day in that hellhole.
"Dana, pack a bag for me," Shanley said from the side, his voice deep. "I''m going with Juniper."
"Yes, sir."
Just as Dana was about to start, the young woman''s voice cut in. "No need. He''s not going."
"Understood." Dana silently retracted her hand, not daring to pack. Having served them for so long, she knew who was really in charge.
"I can go," Shanley said, his brow tightening as he tried to remain patient. "My injuries are fine. I promise I won''t slow you down."
"Oh," Juniper said distractedly, continuing to pack her things. "You''re still not going."
He was practically half-dead. And he wanted to go with her to rescue someone? How many people would she have to save then?
Shanley stood frozen, his handsome face scrunched up in frustration. He wanted to assert his authority, but he was afraid of angering her. After all the incident where he''d almost put a bullet in her head hadn''t been fully forgiven.
Shanley pressed his lips together and turned on his heel, heading for the study.