"And you were so put upon," Juniper said, seeing right through him with a sarcastic jab.


    Shanley just gave a roguish grin, silently admitting it. He was, in fact, quite put upon. He was showering her with affection and winning over everyone around her, all for a little official recognition. He wondered when he''d finally earn the title of "Juniper''s boyfriend."


    “Have the nts packed up. I need to take them back to Era City," Juniper instructed.


    Thebs at Harold''s facility were well-stocked, which would make preparing the antidote much more convenient.


    "Right away," the Director nodded. Before leaving, he made sure to address Shanley. "Mr. Schwartz, I''ll get right on that."


    "Thank you," Shanley replied with a nod.


    Juniper shot him a look and snorted. "Quite the expert at winning people over."


    “Just being exceedingly approachable,” Shanley replied smoothly.


    Juniper was speechless.


    The next day, Juniper finished packing, ready to return to Era City. Although she had the ingredients, developing the antidote would take time, and she couldn''t afford any dys.


    "We''ll head over as soon as we''ve handled things on the ind," Celine said, holding Juniper''s hand, reluctant to see her go.


    Warren had been so focused on her treatment that he''d neglected ind affairs. Things were in disarray, with several factions plotting rebellion. If they didn''t deal with it soon, it could turn into a major problem.


    "Take good care of yourself," Juniper said, nodding as she gently pinched her sister''s cheek. "The medicine I prescribed is bitter, but you have to take it on time every day. No secretly pouring it out. I''ll have Warren keep an eye on you."


    Celine frowned slightly and reluctantly mumbled, "Oh."


    So much for that. There was no way she could ck off now.


    Warren walked over and pulled out two ck bank cards from his bag. They looked even more substantial than thest ones.


    "Juniper, while Celine is your set


    she''s also the love of my life," Warren said softly, handing her the cards. "This is a token of my


    gratitude. Please, you must ept it."


    "I don''t know..." Juniper said, ncing at the cards. After a moment of token


    resistance, she took them with a brilliant smile.


    "You deserve it,” Warren said, a smile gracing his own lips as he took Celine''s hand.


    "Celine''s recovery is more precious than any amount of money."


    “Alright, then,” Juniper said, waving the cards happily. "Don''t mind if I do.”


    "Of course," Warren nodded. "Travel safely."


    With that, Warren took Celine''s hand and started to leave.


    "Wait," Juniper''s voice rang out again. She walked up to them and held the cards back out.


    "What''s wrong?"


    Celine was confused, and Warren was equally baffled. His money-loving sister-in-w was refusing money? He felt a strange sense of unease.


    "A wedding gift," Juniper said, looking up at them seriously. "I wasn''t able to attend your wedding, so this is a bted present."


    Warren was stunned for a few seconds, barely managing to hold back augh. Using his money to give him a wedding gift? She was still the little money


    "through" and through.


    "You don''t have to," Celine said with


    a frown. She didn''t know what


    Subterra Vanguard or the Sigma Network were, but she knew no one ever had too much money. She''d feet better if her sister kept it.


    “Take it.” Juniper pressed the cards back into her hand, then stuffed her own hands in her pockets and said casually, “I''m leaving.”


    Only after Juniper had gone did Celine look at the cards. She discovered there were three of them, and one was a type neither she nor Warren had ever seen before.


    A note was attached: *For the newlyweds.*


    When she saw the amount, Celine''s hand started to tremble.