The box looked familiar; it was from the same ce she had eaten at in Caelusst time.


    The taste was excellent.


    She had been craving it since she got back.


    The words of refusal reached her lips but suddenly took a turn: "Alright."


    At the cafe.


    "That''s about it."


    After Coralie finished speaking, she ced aplete report in front of Juniper.


    "Ms. Payne, I''d appreciate it if you could pass this on to Mr. Schwartz." Coralie stared at her, her attitude incredibly sincere. "This partnership is truly very important to me."


    Juniper looked up from the pastry, her eyes sweeping over the red and swollen back of Coralie''s hand, her pupils contracting slightly.


    It was hurt that badly?


    She took the report and skimmed through it. It had absolutely nothing to do with casinos.


    "Ms. Quill, you are from Caelus, and Westshore Casino is doing quite well. Why bothering to Borealia to struggle?"


    Borealia was the financial center of all the continents; its dominant position had long been established.


    Trying to get a piece of the pie now-wasn''t that just a pipe dream?


    Coralie was no fool; she knew her priorities.


    "It''s not entirely for the money." Coralie nodded, moving her red lips. "I used to be from Borealia. So were my parents and siblings."


    "It''s just that an ident


    went to Caelus."


    nedter, and they all passed away. That''s when I


    "Starting a business in Borealia is just to give me a reason toe back whenever I want."


    "I don''t have a family, so I want to build one for myself."


    Hearing this, Juniper''s fingers trembled slightly, and she looked at her with deep eyes.


    Even with the heavy makeup, it couldn''t hide the disappointment in Coralie''s eyes. She was serious.


    If she remembered correctly, she had heard Coralie was an orphan.


    She didn''t expect there to be someone else in the world with as tragic a fate as hers.


    "Alright."


    Juniper was deeply moved. She put the file into her bag and said faintly, I don''t take rewards without merit Since I ate your pastry, I''ll gebthis done for you."


    "Thank you, Mrs. Schwartz."


    The smile on Coralie''s lips grew wider, and she thanked her softly. "If you ever need me for anything, just ask. It''s just—"


    She paused, then added, "Could you please not go to my casino again? They really can''t beat you."


    "Tsk."


    Juniper blinked, saying casually, "Running a casino and you''re afraid of people ying?"


    "Yep."


    el.no


    Coralie found herself inexplicably fond of this girl. Her attitude when talking to her waspletely different from usual as she teased, "Without money, how am I going to keep my young boy toy?" content


    "The one I have at home is the best escort in Caelus, and he costs a lot to maintain."


    "???"


    Juniper was almost thrown off guard by her bluntness.


    Her mood also improved considerably because of her.


    Strange.


    She actually didn''t dislike this girl who had called Shanley an "old man."


    "I''ll be in Era City dealing with things recently. If you''re bored, you can ask me out for coffee."


    Coralie tightened her shawl and made a ''call me'' gesture.


    Juniper pressed her lips together. They weren''t close enough for coffee dates yet, were they?


    "It''s settled then."


    Without waiting for Juniper to agree,


    Coralie made the decision for her


    "I''ll bring you pastry again next time. A different vor. It''s incredibly delicious


    "Okay." Juniper nodded.


    "Alright, I have things to do, so I have to go now." Coralie stood up.


    Just as she was about to leave.


    Juniper''s voice suddenly rang out: "Does Ms. Quill know about the orphanage fire five years ago?"


    Coralie''s footsteps halted.