"Knock, knock—"


    Just as they were talking, the sound of firm footsteps echoed from the hallway.


    The next second, the door opened, and several armed bodyguards entered first.


    Juniper and Shanley turned simultaneously to see a tall, handsome man with a slender build following behind them. He wore a ck trench coat and had short, neat hair. His features were sharp, and a pair of silver-rimmed sses rested on his nose, giving him the ssic look of a wolf in sheep''s clothing.


    "My Lord, this is the CEO of the Schwartz Group, Shanley Schwartz," a subordinate announced respectfully.


    Warren Sherwin raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the visitors. Felton, Flint, Shanley... he nced past them in an instant. But when his eyesnded on Juniper, the man''s frame tensed imperceptibly. His cool eyes narrowed, a new depth entering their gaze. He stared for a few seconds, then a few more, a hint of interest in his expression.


    "What are you looking at?" Juniper said coldly, annoyed by his stare.


    Could this guy have recognized her? It shouldn''t be possible. The mess Shanley had made was far bigger than hers. If he was going to recognize anyone, it should be Shanley first.


    "You''ve mistaken her for someone else," Shanley said, sensing the man''s unusual focus. Hisrge hand rested on Juniper''s waist as he spoke in a deep, steady voice. "I am Shanley Schwartz."


    "Mr. Schwartz, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" After a moment of silence, Warren finally, faintly, pulled his gaze away, though his eyes lifted to nce at the girl beside Shanley a few more times.


    "I''m here to discuss a deal," Shanley said, looking directly at Warren. A cold smile touched his thin lips, his voice low and chilling.


    What was going on? This guy seemed very interested in Juniper. Could he have taken a liking to her?


    At the thought, a thickyer of frost seemed to envelop Shanley.


    "A deal?" Hearing this, Warren lit a cigarette, Jetting the blue smoke curl from his fingers as he spoke


    Chntly What kind of deal Liberty Isfarid possibly hav


    could


    with the Schwartz Group?"


    "I need a nt, Shanley said, getting straight to the point. He ced a photo on the table, leaned back in


    nis chat and crossed


    is long legs elegantly ording to my sources, the A-NO nt was once seen on Liberty Ind. If you can provide a seedling, I''m willing to pay a high price."


    Warren lounged with his legs crossed, smoking as he nced at the photo. "Mr. Schwartz, how did you find that out?"


    "That''s my business," Shanley''s lips curled. "Just name your price."


    Name his price? Warren lowered his gaze, a yful look in his indifferent eyes. "I


    might consider other things," he said gravely, "but not this."


    "Why not?" Juniper, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up.


    Warren''s attention was once again drawn to her. His gaze fixed on her face as he answered slowly, "Because I said so. That''s the reason."


    Juniper gritted her teeth, her fists clenching. She couldn''t believe that after all these years, this ind lord was still so stubborn and foul-tempered.


    "Why don''t you reconsider?" Shanley gently patted Juniper''s head and unwrapped a mango-vored candy for her


    trying to soothe her He was genuinely afraid she would leap up and scream, "If you don''t selbit, I''ll


    scatter your ashes!"


    "There''s no need for reconsideration," Warren refused tly. He stood up and


    nced at his subordinate. "Show them out."


    "Yes, my Lord."


    The subordinate gestured for Juniper and Shanley to leave. Before they could say another word, Warren had already disappeared.