"Oh, I''m terrified," Juniper deadpanned, stuffing her hands in her pockets. She took off her cap, tossed it onto the driver''s seat, and stared at the approaching ship.


    Ewan narrowed his eyes. The girl didn''t look scared at all.


    He understood. She was just putting on a brave face. Her arch-nemesis was right in front of her. He''d see how long she could keep up the act.


    The ship drew closer, and the smile on Ewan''s face widened. After they helped the Sigma Network deal with such a major figure, it wouldn''t be too much to ask for a little something in return, right?


    A few minutester, the ship docked, and a swarm of men disembarked first.


    Then, a man in a ck trench coat appeared. His features were sharp and handsome, but his face was unusually pale.


    The leader of the Sigma Network was indeed as impressive and imposing as the rumors imed.


    "A pleasure to finally meet you," Ewan said, immediately stepping forward and extending his hand. "I heard you were looking for Specter. The Huntsman Institute just so happened to capture her."


    "Just so happened?" Shanley''s thin lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Funny, I heard she turned herself in."


    "Er..." Ewan felt a sh of embarrassment before quickly changing the subject. "Regardless of how it happened, you must be pleased to have finally caught your greatest adversary, right?"


    "Pleased?" Shanley lifted his gaze, looking toward the girl in the distance. His eyes met her icy stare, and his heart gave a sudden lurch.


    He wouldn''t dare say if he was pleased right now.


    Shanley didn''t answer. Instead, he started walking toward Juniper.


    Ewan quickly stepped aside to make way for him, then hurried to follow.


    Juniper remained where she was, hands still in her pockets, a defiant look on her face. There wasn''t a trace of fear in her.


    Was the girl in shock? This was the leader of the Sigma Network, her mortal enemy who wanted her dead!


    "Leader of the Sigma Network, this is Huntsman Institute territory, after all," Ewan''s voice cut in If you want to take her away, you have to follow our rules, don''t you?"


    "Rules?" Shanley turned his head, barely containing his anger as he asked in a low voice, "What rules did you have in mind?"


    "Sigma Network''s two bases in Australis. Lend them to the Huntsman Institute for a look."


    The way Ewan shamelessly used the word "lend" was quite telling.


    "And if I say no?" Shanley''s gaze shifted back to Juniper, softening. "Specter can go wherever she pleases. Who the hell do you think you are, trying to tie her down?"


    "Wh-what?" Ewan could hardly believe his ears. "What did you say?" he asked, his voice hoarse with disbelief.


    "Let''s go." Shanley took off his coat and gently draped it over Juniper''s shoulders. *p-*


    Juniper shrugged it off, and the coat fell to the ground. Her pretty face was wrinkled in anger.


    Though he was terrified, Shanley found her ridiculously cute at that moment.


    "Don''t be mad at me," he said,


    gesturing for Felton to bring a clean


    nket not wanting to touch the


    dirtied coat. He spoke with immense patience. "Ebony Fox''s healthis what''s important."


    "You just wait," Juniper said, raising her hand and pointing a slender, pale finger at his face.


    "Okay," Shanley agreed without argument, lowering his head humbly. "Get Specter and Ebony Fox on the ship," he ordered.


    Ewan was frozen in ce, his eyes darting back and forth between them. What was happening? He understood every word they said but together, it made no sense Was


    this how mortal


    nemes were


    supposed to act? If he didn''t know


    any better, he''d think they were a couple.


    That was it. They looked like they were dating?!