On the way to the airport.
Juniper munched on some chips, looking over at the man in the driver''s seat. She spoke casually, "Kurt went to Fox''s Den Boxing Gym."
"Him?"
Even Shanley found it absurd. He turned his head and asked, "With his scrawny arms, chicken legs, and disabled body, what could he possibly do there?"
"He said he was there for physical therapy."
Juniper answered honestly. Thinking about it, she added, "But he seemed more like a live-in chef."
He was frighteningly eager to cook and clean.
"Maybe..."
Shanley frowned, feeling a twinge of guilt as he was forced to cover for him. "He really looks up to Ebony Fox and wants to learn some martial arts."
"Oh."
Juniper tilted her head, thinking seriously, then muttered, "I think he did mention something like that. That''s pretty ambitious of him."
"Yeah."
Shanley replied in a low voice, the corners of his lips turning up as he yed along. "For his sake, he''d better actually seed in learning something."
Otherwise—
If the secret got out that he took the risk to cover for the brat, his girl would absolutely tear him apart.
Eight hourster, the nended safely at Caelus International Airport.
Caelus was one of the most developed continents, second only to Australis and Borealia.
Whether in terms of economy, culture, ormercial civilization, it stood at the global forefront.
This year''s J.R. Radiant Auction was being held here.
Felton and Flint had arrived in Caelus a day early and were currently standing in front of a Rolls-Royce.
"Ms. Payne. Boss."
"Mhm."
Shanley shielded the car roof with his hand, carefully escorting Juniper into the back seat.
He then pulled a piece of candy from his suit pocket, unwrapped it, and fed it to her.
"What kind of stuff is at this auction?"
Juniper asked with interest,zily leaning back against the seat with the candy in her mouth.
Felton immediately presented a thick catalog with both hands.
Juniper didn''t take it, merely signaling the man beside her with her eyes.
"Alright."
Shanley smiled helplessly, his voice dripping with indulgence. "Let me serve you, my little girlfriend."
"Cough, cough."
Juniper nearly choked on the sweet juice, shooting him a deep re. "Could you please stop saying those words?"
Her ears were getting callouses from hearing it so much.
"What words? Girlfriend?"
Shanley raised an eyebrow with a light chuckle, sounding quite wronged. "If I don''t call you my girlfriend, what should I call you?"
He paused for a few seconds before his husky, alluring voice sounded again, "Wife?"
Juniper swallowed hard, her head snapping up as a look of utter disbelief washed over her reddening cheeks.
"Alright, I won''t tease you anymore" Knowing when to quit, Shanley. ruffled the top of her head and said
softly "Lets take a foret
the
auction items.
The catalog was thick.
Ever the attentive partner, Shanley turned the pages one by one for Juniper to see.
Constantly asking:
Do you like this?
Does this interest you?
Juniper lowered her eyes, catching sight of a sapphire the size of a pigeon''s egg, and frowned slightly.
Tacky.
Not interested.
"Alright."
Shanley carefully observed every shift in Juniper''s expression.
If she frowned, he flipped the page. If her gaze lingered for more than and
threeds, he slowed down
gave her a detailed introdu
"This one isn''t bad."
When they were almost at the end of the catalog, Juniper finally spoke up.
The picture showed aplete set of luxurious, dazzling pink diamond jewelry: a ne, bracelet, ring, and brooch.
But what truly caught Juniper''s eye was the sparkling pink diamond crown.
Rumor had it that in thest century,
the Count of Monte Cristo from
Orion and his wife had spent ne
fortune crafting as a first birthday gift for Princess Victoria.
The pink diamonds had taken two years of mining just to select the finest ones.
The crown symbolized happiness and beauty.
Perhaps it was a coincidence.
But Princess Victoria had gone on to live an exceptionally happy and fulfilling life,
bing the envy of everyone.