"No, no, no." Catching the implication in his brother''s words, Kurt immediately waved his hands in denial. "If we get married, we''ll keep the rtionships separate."


    He didn''t have a death wish; he would never dare expect Shanley to call him brother-inw.


    "Married?" The amusement in Shanley''s eyes deepened. It was as if he''d just heard a hrious joke, and he couldn''t resist knocking his brother down a peg. "You sure know how to dream."


    "Ebony Fox isn''t like the trivial girls you mess around with. She''s not a woman you can win over just by buying her a designer bag and beckoning her with a finger."


    "She''s older than you, and she''s been through a lot more than you have. You two aren''t suited for each other. Don''t provoke her."


    Ebony''s personality was theplete opposite of Kurt''s. One was fiercely independent and quiet, while the other was a restless yboy.


    "We haven''t even tried dating yet, how do you know we aren''t suited?" Kurt instantly fired back, clearly unwilling to ept the defeat. "Besides, what''s wrong with her being older?"


    "You''re almost ten years older than Juniper!"


    Shanley''s face wentpletely ck. If today hadn''t been such a joyous asion, he really would have smacked him.


    "Fine." Shanley couldn''t be bothered to waste any more breath on him and dropped


    a freezing sentence. "If you can win her over, that''s your own skill. But if you piss her off, you''ll face the consequences yourself."


    "Shanley, you''re letting me pursue her?" Kurt eximed, absolutely thrilled.


    Shanley ignored him.


    As if his permission actually meant Kurt could seed. After all—Ebony''s emotional intelligence was exactly on par with Juniper''s. Want to win her over? It would be harder than climbing to heaven!


    On his way out, Kurt noticed the two little turtles chilling in the living room.


    Just as he reached out to touch them, Shanley''s voice echoed behind him. "Those are your sister-inw''s life. Touch them, and see what happens."


    Kurt quickly yanked his hand back and shoved it deep into his pocket.


    Right at that moment, Juniper and Ebony Fox returned from J Wilcox''s ce.


    "You''re leaving already?" Juniper frowned, asking, "Your body hasn''t fully recovered yet. There''s no need to rush."


    "Staying cooped up in the house is boring." Ebony Fox patted Juniper''s shoulder and said softly, "Opening Fox''s Den Boxing Gym will give me something to do to relieve the boredom."


    More importantly, she needed a career. She couldn''t just rely on her little sister to support her forever.


    "The Master from the Subterra Vanguard is with me. I''ll let you know once everything ispletely set up."


    "Take care of yourself."


    Knowing the Master was there to look after her, Juniper didn''t object. She was only concerned about Ebony''s health.


    "I will." Ebony Fox nodded. "I drove here, and my luggage is all packed. I just came back to see you. I''ll be moving straight there."


    "You cane see me anytime you miss me, or just give me a call."


    "Okay." Juniper nodded slightly. Just as she was about to walk Ebony Fox downstairs, the door behind them swung open with a *smack*.


    Kurt suddenly popped out. Although he no longer needed a crutch, he was still limping heavily.


    "Ebony Fox, you drove? Can you give me a ride on your way out?" Kurt asked shamelessly inviting himself. as he hobbled outward. "Don''t worry,


    I promise I''ll sitpletely still. I won''t cause any trouble."


    Ebony Fox was about to reject him, but then she reconsidered.


    She owed him. She had just eaten the meal he cooked; turning on him immediately felt a bit too harsh.


    "Let''s go." Ebony Fox treated him like an annoying, hyperactive kid and agreed. If he tried anything funny on the way, she''d just kick him out of the moving car.


    "Ebony Fox, I''ll grab your luggage for you!" Kurt grabbed her bags and hurried toward the exit terrified she might change her mind. He moved so fast a dog wouldn''t be able to catch him.


    A boxing gym? If he signed up for sses, wouldn''t it be incredibly easy to see her


    all the time?


    *A fierce woman fears a relentless suitor.* That was the ultimate lesson he had learned from watching Shanley pursue Juniper. The key to sess was simple: thick skin.