No wonder the people at Binary Oracle and Cybeic Shadows had found a lead so quickly. He must have contributed a lot, right?!


    As Juniper came downstairs, Shanley gestured to Dana with his chin. "Get some breakfast ready for Juniper."


    Then he turned to Juniper, a slight smile ying on his lips. "So, you heard about the progress on the antidote?"


    "Yeah." Juniper sat down next to him, her brow furrowing slightly when she saw the dark circles under his eyes. He definitely hadn''t slept. He was still injured, and now he was pulling an all-nighter. Did he have a death wish?


    Juniper was about to scold him, but just as she opened her mouth, he gently cut her off. "Ebony Fox is still asleep. Be quiet and let her rest a bit longer."


    Juniper pressed her lips together. He really knew how to handle her, didn''t he?


    "You..."


    "I know," Shanley said, bringing a piece of toast to his lips to preempt her. "With the nourishing meals you make me every day, I''m perfectly fine."


    Juniper was left speechless. Concerned about waking Ebony Fox, she decided to drop the subject for now.


    The two of them discussed Liberty Ind as they ate breakfast.


    "Liberty Ind is private territory, awless zone where the poption and inte ess are heavily monitored," Shanley exined calmly while peeling an egg for Juniper. "Anyone who can use the inte freely there is no ordinary person." "Mhm," Juniper murmured in agreement, quietly eating her breakfast.


    "Everyone at Binary Oracle and Cybeic Shadows is screening the residents of Liberty Ind one by one. I expect we''ll have results in the next day or two."


    "Okay." Having finished most of her food, Juniper stood up. "I''m going to check on Ebony Fox."


    She took a few steps, then suddenly turned back. "Oh, and... for now, don''t let my three brothers know about Ebony Fox''s condition."


    "I can do that..." Shanley held his knife and fork, studying her face with a fond, knowing smile. "But if they decide toe after me, you have to help."


    Juniper gave him a long, hard look but didn''t reply. That sly old fox, ying the innocent victim. As if her brothers would dare to touch him.


    In her room, Ebony Fox was already awake, standing by the window and gazing into the distance.


    Juniper walked over to her side and followed her gaze. "What are you looking at?"


    "The ocean," Ebony Fox said, turning with a gentle smile. "I was just wondering where the rest of our family is."


    Their two younger sisters, and their parents.


    "We''re still looking." Juniper''s expression darkened at the mention of it. Both Binary Oracle and Cybeic Shadows were


    searching but there were


    still no


    solid leads. With the antidote being the current priority, the search for their family had to be paused.


    "We''ll find them," Juniper said, taking Ebony Fox''s hand and forcing a smile. "If you''re bored, you can head over to Australis for a bit."


    "Australis?" Ebony Fox asked, puzzled. "The Subterra Vanguard headquarters?"


    "Yep," Juniper nodded, not mincing words. "The recruits have been getting a little cktely. How about you go whip them into shape for me?"


    "You''re not worried about me?" Ebony Fox asked deliberately, concerned that her illness would be a burden to her sister.


    "You''re not going to die," Juniper said with a casual lift of her eyebrow and a carefree smile. "Besides, even if you did, I''d drag you back from the gates of hell myself."


    "You and your smart mouth," Ebony


    Fox said, a wave of relief washing over her. She could finally rx her frayed nerves, Alright. Ive got nothing better to do, so I''ll go check it out."


    "I''ll make the arrangements."


    As the door closed behind her, the smile vanished from Juniper''s face, the facade of strength crumbling. It was better this way. With Ebony Fox gone she could focus on the antidote without any distractions.


    That evening, after seeing Ebony Fox off and instructing the five masters to take good care of her, Juniper was on her way back when her phone rang. It was Shanley.


    "Juniper, we''ve found the owner of the medicinal herb."


    Juniper frowned. From his tone, Shanley didn''t sound happy. Or perhaps, the person who owned the herb was going to be difficult to deal with.