Feeling unloved by his grandmother and mother, a dejected Shanley could only cast a pleading look at Juniper.


    "He hasn''t eaten yet," Juniper reminded them softly with a blink. "Maybe we should let him have something to eat."


    "Alright, then." Hannah and Miranda exchanged a nce, taking Juniper''s words seriously. "He can stay."


    “Wonderful,” Shanley said, loosening his tie with a wry smile. "Don''t just focus on Juniper. Her sister is standing right here, too."


    "Oh, my." The reminder snapped Hannah back to the present. She tapped her forehead and warmly weed Ebony Fox. "You must be Ebony Fox, right? Shanley has told me so much about you. So young and so aplished. It''s an honor to finally meet you. You grace the Schwartz Manor with your presence."


    "Indeed," Miranda added, her elegant face radiating a gentle and approachable warmth. "Pleasee visit us often from now on."


    "You''re too kind," Ebony Fox said, stepping forward and giving a slight nod. "Thank you both for cherishing my sister so much."


    She had been nervous beforeing. The Schwartz family was a prestigious aristocratic n with a long history, so she expected them to have many strict rules. She hadn''t anticipated the family matriarchs to be so warm and weing. It was obvious to anyone how much they adored Juniper.


    “It''s what we should do,” Miranda said, patting Juniper''s hand with a wide smile. "For Shanley to have found a girl as wonderful as Juniper, it''s as if the Schwartz family ancestors themselves have blessed us."


    “Please,e in, Ebony Fox," Hannah said softly.


    "Of course." Ebony Fox nodded and followed behind Juniper.


    In his room, Kurt sat at hisputer, his injured leg propped up on the sofa as he scrolled through a file.


    Ebony Fox. Age 24. Senior instructor at the Huntsman Institute. An all-rounder skilled in marksmanship, grappling, andbat. She once defeated ten other instructors at once in a fight, and had single-handedly infiltrated enemy territory toplete numerous dangerous missions. It was said that many countries had tried to recruit her. A month ago, Ebony Fox resigned from the Huntsman Institute, her whereabouts unknown.


    The more Kurt read, the wider his eyes grew. She was incredible. And only twenty- four. She had beenpleting missions independently since she was a teenager.


    He thought back to his own teenage


    years spent partying causing


    trouble,


    nd getting chased aroung by his parents. Inparison, he felt like a total loser.


    Just as he was engrossed in his reading, a knock came at the door.


    "Mr. Schwartz,” a maid called out, “Madam Hannah wants you toe downstairs."


    "Not going," Kurt refused grumpily, still scrolling with his mouse. “Tell Grandma my leg hurts and I can''t walk."


    "You have guests," the maid reminded him. "Ms. Payne and her sister, Ebony Fox, are here."


    Ebony Fox? Did she say Ebony Fox?


    Kurt froze for a few seconds, then


    shot up from his chair. He limped to


    the door yanked it open and eagerly


    the did you say


    asked, Ho?


    here?"


    "Ms. Payne."


    "Not her, the next part! Who else?"


    “Ms. Payne''s sister, Ebony Fox?" the maid replied timidly, her eardrums nearly bursting from his shouting.


    The words had barely left her mouth when Kurt pushed past her and started hobbling quickly downstairs.


    "Mr. Schwartz, your crutch!” the maid called, rushing after him with it.


    In his excitement, Kurt bumped into a vase at the bottom of the stairs, catching it just before it fell.


    The loud noise drew everyone''s attention.


    "Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, Mom, Dad,


    Juniper, Shanley..." Kurt said,


    standing straight and greeting the


    circle of family. When his eyesnded on Ebony Fox, his breath caught.